what are the similarities between biography autobiography and memoir

• Book Writing
• Fiction Writing
• eBook Writing
• Biography Writing
• Autobiography Writing
• Speech Writing
• Screenwriting
• Memoir Writing
• Book Editing
• Book Proofreading
• Children’s Book Editing
• eBook Editing
• Press Release Writing
• Business Plan Writing
• Website Content Writing
• LinkedIn Profile Writing
• White Paper Writing
• Wikipedia Writing

Biography vs autobiography vs memoir: Which Genre Best Tells Your Story?

As a writer, it’s essential to choose the right genre to tell your story effectively. However, distinguishing between memoir, autobiography, and biography can be confusing. In this article, we’ll clarify the core differences between these genres and provide insights to help you choose the one that best fits your unique story. Whether you’re interested in exploring your own experiences or delving into the lives of others, understanding the difference between a memoir and a biography and autobiography is critical to crafting a compelling narrative. So let’s get started and discover which genre will best tell your story.

The Power of Biographies: Discovering Lives and Learning Lessons

A biography is a personal story narrated from real life. The biographies come in different sub-genres, but what they have in common is the factual loyalty. Biographies provide an in-depth look into the lives of individuals, whether they’re still alive or historical figures. For a collection of famous biographies, you might want to explore Biography.com .

Professional bio writers usually conduct a great deal of research. They can describe the life events of someone still alive or a famous person who lived years ago. The author focuses his attention significantly on childhood, relationships, and ups and downs to create a complete picture of a person’s life.

The distinct feature of the story is the writer’s presence. That’s where you don’t align memoir vs biography: while people write memoirs alone, biographies require professional writers.

The main types of biographies include:

• Contemporary biography: a story of a person who’s alive and usually at the peak of their success. It can be about well-known entrepreneurs, musicians, or politicians. It can also include the people who are especially valuable at the moment or have done something great that you have to commemorate.

The examples are: “His Way: The Unauthorized Biography of Frank Sinatra” (written by Kitty Kelley) and “Robin” (Dave Itzkoff’s intimate look at the life and career of Robin Williams).

• Historical biography: provides in-depth information on the life of historical figures or people who died without the recognition they deserved.

The examples are: “Alexander Hamilton” (an epic 800+ page biography created by Ron Chernow) and “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” (written by Rebecca Skloot).

• Group biography: the authors apply this type of biography quite rarely. One of the first examples is “A General History of the Pirates,” narrated by Captain Charles Johnson in 1724. One of the latest group biographies includes an account of the life stories of famous British royals, “HRH: So Many Thoughts on Royal Style,” written by Elizabeth Holmes.

Autobiographies: Understanding the Genre, Types, and Significance

An autobiography is someone else’s story that doesn’t involve a third party. A memoir writing service puts it differently because autobiography is the first person’s account of events.

Autobiographies have been vital throughout history. They provide invaluable stories and thoughts, giving the audience an accurate impression of historical leaders and the value they represent. Also, they allow individuals to tell their own stories in their own words. For examples of famous autobiographies that have captivated readers, check out this list on Goodreads .

The main difference between autobiography and biography is that the last one provides a person’s story written by someone else. The peculiar advantage that autobiographies provide is decreasing the number of discrepancies or mistakes. Hiring cheap ghostwriters for hire may be incorrect in describing significant events.

The types of autobiography include:

• Traditional: a complete story narrated from the first person, discussing all significant events from birth, throughout childhood, and up to the present time. It’s a challenging genre since a life story should be captivating and exciting to engage the reader.
• Overcoming adversity: on the contrary, many people don’t have as shiny lives. Some survived a series of challenging circumstances, such as assaults, murders, or other life-threatening situations. Sharing the story of the “survivor” might heal people undergoing a similar journey.
• Intellectual: focus on critical events or experiences that have changed someone’s perspective on life. Prominent examples include the “Autobiography” of the philosopher John Stuart Mill and “The Education of Henry Adams.”
• Fictionalized is a story that uses made-up characters to represent an author’s experience. This autobiography reflects on actual events vs. serving as an accurate retelling of what happened. Some of the interesting examples are “The Way of All Flesh” (by Samuel Butler) and “A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man” (by James Joice).

Memoir vs autobiography: what’s the catch?

If you’re wondering what does a ghostwriter do when writing a memoir, let’s explore its main features.

Memoir highlights the essential part of someone’s life. It can describe the critical historical period or a breakdown, focusing on the events that led to the collapse. That’s where memoirs vs autobiography differ: the first ones only focus on particular excerpts instead of telling the whole story.

• A memoir is a factual story in which the author reflects on a series of related events from their life or recounts memories from a particular period.
• An autobiography is a chronological description of a person’s life.

Although the memoir can be subjective, it must lean on facts. The authors choose a pivotal moment they’d like to shed light on and recreate the event using storytelling tools.

There’s not a specific number of memoirs in a professional book writing history. Nevertheless, we will explore the most prominent types of memoirs to let you dive into the industry:

• Transformation memoirs: tell about the most significant challenges authors These stories lead with the topic of redemption, whether you achieved it or you’re trying to gain it.

The examples are “Here We Are: American Dreams, American Nightmares” (by Aarti Namdev Shahani), “Educated” (by Tara Westover), and “Finding Freedom” (by Erin French).

• Confessional memoirs: reveal the painful or dirty secrets about authors or their families and how the particular series of events has affected them.

The examples are: “Confessions” (by Jean-Jacques Rousseau) and “Running with Scissors” (by Augusten Burroughs).

• Professional or celebrity memoirs: describe the road to fame and success. Famous people often think about how to find a ghost writer to talk about their lives and significant events in a more professional tone.

The examples are: “I Am Malala” (by Malala Yousafzai) and “Just Kids” (by Patti Smith).

• Travel memoirs: focus on exciting adventures that happen while traveling. These memoirs are often the most pleasant, allowing readers to escape everyday reality.

The examples are “Wild” (by Cheryl Strayed) and “A Year in Provence” (by Peter Mayle).

Autobiography vs biography vs memoir: where’s your match?

You don’t need to be a writing professional to comprehend the difference between memoir and autobiography and biography. Let’s take a look at some of the key points to consider.

The Bottom Line

Writing a book about your life is a challenging process. It requires lots of patience and a great deal of memory to recall the most significant events. Meanwhile, it allows you to look at your life and experiences from a whole new perspective.

If you need any help with writing a biography vs autobiography vs memoir, Penfellow will gladly assist! Our professional writers have years of experience completing similar tasks and will do the job for you. We will ensure the final paper meets your requirements and writing standards. Get in touch with us today to get your biography done in no time!

About Ryan Bronson

Proofreading VS Copy Editing: Choose and Master Your Approach

How to write a children’s picture book that evokes emotions and enchants young readers.

Autobiography Writing Guide

Autobiography Vs Memoir

Last updated on: Feb 9, 2023

Autobiography vs. Memoir: Definitions & Writing Tips

By: Barbara P.

Reviewed By: Chris H.

Published on: Mar 2, 2021

Autobiography and memoirs are written to tell the life story of the writer. An  autobiography  covers the author’s whole life, while a memoir focuses on specific events. These two terms are used interchangeably, but there are obvious and practical differences between the two similar genres.

Writing a memoir and autobiography is a creatively challenging experience, even for the most experienced of writers.

Therefore, read on this blog and get to know the difference and similarities between autobiography vs. memoir.

On this Page

Definition of Memoir vs. Autobiography

The memoir and autobiography are the terms that overlap each other, so the confusion is understandable. These two are the formats that are used to tell a creative non-fiction story. However, there are some differences that you need to know before using the most appropriate one.

Let us discuss the definition of both in detail.

A memoir is based on the author’s real-life experience, and it is written from the author’s point of view. Also, they are not covering their whole life from birth to the present. However, they explore a specific era in great detail, which makes them much different from other writing genres.

Memoirs are more personal and focused on the writer's life. It should be written from the first-person point of view.

The main purpose of the memoir is to:

• Share your personal life experience with the readers.
• Tell the story from the author’s perspective.
• Connect with others who have similar or the same situations.
• Help the people to understand that they are not alone in their experiences.
• Make sense of the threads and themes of their life, as well as identify what's important.

Moreover, the memoir is a type of autobiography that gives a glimpse of the specific event of the writer’s life. Also, the memoir should be:

• Descriptive
• Well-written

The memoir also focuses on the relationship between the author and a particular place or person. Also, they tend to be read more like a fiction novel than a factual account. It includes the following things:

However, for a great memoir, you should share snippets from their life. Also, do not try to tell the entire story in one sitting.

Here is an example that gives you a better idea of the memoir.

Memoir Example

Autobiography

An autobiography focuses on the writer’s entire life and discusses the significant events of their life. It comes through the writer’s own life and in his own words. People write autobiographies to record their feelings and ideas to share with others. Then get it published to reach a greater number of people.

The main purpose of the autobiography is to:

• Inform or teach someone about something.
• Present the facts based on a memoir.
• Focus on the most important events and people in the writer’s life.
• Give you a better insight into how their experiences have shaped them as a person.

Moreover, an autobiography is written in a fictional tale that closely mirrors events from the author’s real life. However, your autobiography should be:

• Easy to read
• Free from obscure details

The below example will help you in writing a good autobiography.

Autobiography Example

Paper Due? Why Suffer? That's our Job!

Autobiography vs. Memoir: Differences and Similarities

The autobiography and memoir have some differences and similarities. You must know them before you start writing it.

The below table shows the differences between autobiography and memoir.

Here are some similarities between autobiography and memoir.

• Both use the first-person point of view.
• Both demonstrate the life of the author.
• Focus on the limited aspect of the author’s life.
• Nonfiction literary genre.
• Presents facts as the person experiencing them.

Biography vs. Autobiography vs. Memoir

Some students get confused between biography, autobiography, and memoir. They are not the same and are written for different purposes.

Check the below table and better understand the similarities and differences between biography, autobiography, and memoir.

Memoir vs. Autobiography vs. Personal Narrative

The below table shows the differences and similarities between memoir, autobiography, and personal narrative.

Tough Essay Due? Hire Tough Writers!

Tips for Writing the Autobiography and Memoir

The following are the tips that you should follow and create a well-written autobiography and memoir.

• Use fiction-writing techniques.
• Write in an engaging way.
• Mention the specific dates of the events.
• Focused on facts.
• Dialogues in memoir should be natural instead of journalistic.
• Do in-depth research.
• Start with a strong hook.
• Use the correct memoir and  autobiography format .
• Pick a strong theme.
• Focus on the main events of the person’s life.

Now, you get a complete understanding of the autobiography and memoir. However, if there is still any confusion in writing, then simply consult 5StarEssays.com.

Our  essay writer  will help you make your writing process easy. All your write my essay requests are managed by professional writers.

So, contact us now and get professional academic help at an affordable rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the 3 characteristics of a memoir.

The 3 characteristics are:

• It focuses on a specific life event
• The subject becomes alive in the writing
• They are more limited than biographies

Is a memoir more factual than an autobiography?

No! On the contrary, an autobiography is more factual than a memoir. An autobiography encompasses many facts and real incidents from one’s life.

Can we use memoir and autobiography interchangeably?

In some instances, when autobiographies become exceedingly short, they are often called memoirs. However, they are still different in their essence and purpose.

Literature, Marketing

Dr. Barbara is a highly experienced writer and author who holds a Ph.D. degree in public health from an Ivy League school. She has worked in the medical field for many years, conducting extensive research on various health topics. Her writing has been featured in several top-tier publications.

Was This Blog Helpful?

Keep reading.

• How to Write an Autobiography - A Complete Guide

• Autobiography Examples – Detailed Outline and Samples

• Know the Different Types of Autobiography Here

• Autobiography Format for Students - A Detailed Guide

People Also Read

• rhetorical precis writing
• types of research
• book report outline
• compare and contrast essay examples
• synthesis essay writing

Burdened With Assignments?

Advertisement

• Homework Services: Essay Topics Generator

© 2024 - All rights reserved

Home » Writing » Autobiography vs. Biography vs. Memoir

What is a Biography?

A biography, also called a bio, is a non-fiction piece of work giving an objective account of a person’s life. The main difference between a biography vs. an autobiography is that the author of a biography is not the subject. A biography could be someone still living today, or it could be the subject of a person who lived years ago.

Biographies include details of key events that shaped the subject’s life, and information about their birthplace, education, work, and relationships. Biographers use a number of research sources, including interviews, letters, diaries, photographs, essays, reference books, and newspapers. While a biography is usually in the written form, it can be produced in other formats such as music composition or film.

If the target person of the biography is not alive, then the storytelling requires an immense amount of research. Interviews might be required to collect information from historical experts, people who knew the person (e.g., friends and family), or reading other older accounts from other people who wrote about the person in previous years. In biographies where the person is still alive, the writer can conduct several interviews with the target person to gain insight on their life.

The goal of a biography is to take the reader through the life story of the person, including their childhood into adolescence and teenage years, and then their early adult life into the rest of their years. The biography tells a story of how the person learned life’s lessons and the ways the person navigated the world. It should give the reader a clear picture of the person’s personality, traits, and their interaction in the world.

Biographies can also be focused on groups of people and not just one person. For example, a biography can be a historical account of a group of people from hundreds of years ago. This group could have the main person who was a part of the group, and the author writes about the group to tell a story of how they shaped the world.

Fictional biographies mix some true historical accounts with events to help improve the story. Think of fictional biographies as movies that display a warning that the story is made of real characters, but some events are fictional to add to the storyline and entertainment value. A lot of research still goes into a fictional biography, but the author has more room to create a storyline instead of sticking to factual events.

Examples of famous biographies include:

• His Excellency: George Washington  by Joseph J. Ellis
• Einstein: The Life and Times  by Ronald William Clark
• Princess Diana – A Biography of The Princess of Wales  by Drew L. Crichton

What is an Autobiography?

An autobiography is the story of a person’s life written by that person. Because the author is also the main character of the story, autobiographies are written in the first person. Usually, an autobiography is written by the person who is the subject of the book, but sometimes the autobiography is written by another person. Because an autobiography is usually a life story for the author, the theme can be anything from religious to a personal account to pass on to children.

The purpose of an autobiography is to portray the life experiences and achievements of the author. Therefore, most autobiographies are typically written later in the subject’s life. It’s written from the point of view of the author, so it typically uses first person accounts to describe the story.

An autobiography often begins during early childhood and chronologically details key events throughout the author’s life. Autobiographies usually include information about where a person was born and brought up, their education, career, life experiences, the challenges they faced, and their key achievements.

On rare occasions, an autobiography is created from a person’s diary or memoirs. When diaries are used, the author must organize them to create a chronological and cohesive story. The story might have flashbacks or flashforwards to describe a specific event, but the main storyline should follow chronological order from the author’s early life to their current events.

One of the main differences between an autobiography vs. a biography is that autobiographies tend to be more subjective. That’s because they are written by the subject, and present the facts based on their own memories of a specific situation, which can be biased. The story covers the author’s opinions on specific subjects and provides an account of their feelings as they navigate certain situations. These stories are also very personal because it’s a personal account of the author’s life rather than a biography where a third party writes about a specific person.

Examples of famous autobiographies include:

• The Story of My Life  by Helen Keller
• The Diary of a Young Girl  by Anne Frank
• Losing My Virginity  by Richard Branson

What is a Memoir?

Memoir comes from the French word  mémoire , meaning memory or reminiscence. Similar to an autobiography, a memoir is the story of a person’s life written by that person. These life stories are often from diary entries either from a first-person account or from a close family member or friend with access to personal diaries.

The difference between a memoir vs. an autobiography is that a memoir focuses on reflection and establishing an emotional connection, rather than simply presenting the facts about their life. The author uses their personal knowledge to tell an intimate and emotional story about the private or public happenings in their life. The author could be the person in the story, or it can be written by a close family member or friend who knew the subject person intimately. The topic is intentionally focused and does not include biographical or chronological aspects of the author’s life unless they are meaningful and relevant to the story.

Memoirs come in several types, all of which are written as an emotional account of the target person. They usually tell a story of a person who went through great struggles or faced challenges in a unique way. They can also cover confessionals where the memoir tells the story of the author’s account that contradicts another’s account.

This genre of writing is often stories covering famous people’s lives, such as celebrities. In many memoir projects, the celebrity or person of interest needs help with organization, writing the story, and fleshing out ideas from the person’s diaries. It might take several interviews before the story can be fully outlined and written, so it’s not uncommon for a memoir project to last several months.

Memoirs do not usually require as much research as biographies and autobiographies, because you have the personal accounts in diary entries and documents with the person’s thoughts. It might require several interviews, however, before the diary entries can be organized to give an accurate account on the person’s thoughts and emotions. The story does not necessarily need to be in chronological order compared to an autobiography, but it might be to tell a better story.

Examples of famous memoirs include:

• Angela’s Ashes  by Frank McCourt
• I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings  by Maya Angelou
• Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S.  Grant by Ulysses S. Grant

Autobiography vs. Biography vs. Memoir Comparison Chart

Check out some of our blogs to learn more about memoirs:

• What is a memoir?
• 5 tips for writing a memoir
• Your memoir is your legacy

Ready to get started on your own memoir, autobiography, or biography? Download our free desktop book-making software, BookWright .

Autobiographies , Biographies , memoirs

This post doesn't have any comment. Be the first one!

This is a unique website which will require a more modern browser to work! Please upgrade today!

This is a modern website which will require Javascript to work.

Please turn it on!

• Book Series
• Recommendations

Autobiography vs. Biography vs. Memoir: Understanding the Differences

Autobiography, biography, and memoir are three genres of literature that share similarities but are also distinct from one another. While they tell stories about people’s lives, they differ in scope, perspective, and purpose. Understanding the differences between these genres is vital for readers, writers, and researchers alike.

So, what exactly makes them different from each other?

In this article, we’ll compare autobiography vs. biography vs. memoir, discover the definitions of each, and see the best examples of each genre.

But before we dive deep into the topic and learn about these three book genres, let’s see a quick overview of what an autobiography, a biography, and a memoir are for those in a hurry!

An autobiography is a book written by the person whose life is being described. It is a first-person narrative that covers the author’s entire life, from birth to the present day. On the other hand, a biography is a book written about a person’s life by someone else. It is a third-person narrative that covers the subject’s life in a factual and objective manner.

Meanwhile, a memoir is similar to an autobiography, but instead of describing the person’s entire life, it focuses on a particular event or a specific period and delves deeper into the author’s state of mind at the time.

Now that you have a rough idea of what an autobiography, a biography, and a memoir mean, let’s move ahead and explore all these book genres in much more detail.

What is an Autobiography?

An autobiography is a book written by an individual about their own life. It covers the author’s experiences, thoughts, and feelings throughout their life.

Autobiographies are typically written in the first person and are subjective in nature. They can cover many topics, including personal experiences, family history, career achievements, and more.

An autobiography aims to provide readers with an in-depth look into the author’s life. It can be a way for the author to share their story, inspire others, or leave a legacy. Autobiographies can also be used as a form of therapy, allowing the author to reflect on their life experiences and gain a deeper understanding of themselves.

Autobiographies can be both subjective and objective. While they are written from the author’s point of view, they can still provide an accurate account of events. However, it is essential to note that autobiographies are not always completely accurate, as memories can be flawed and biased.

Autobiographies can cover a wide range of events and information. Some may focus on a specific period or event in the author’s life, while others may cover their entire life from birth to the present day.

Autobiographies are often written by famous people, such as politicians, athletes, and celebrities, who want to tell their life stories in their own words. They can be insightful and revealing, but they can also be self-serving and biased.

Here are a few famous autobiographies:

• “The Diary of a Young Girl” by Anne Frank
• “Born a Crime” by Trevor Noah
• “Becoming” by Michelle Obama
• “An Autobiography” by Agatha Christie
• “The Autobiography of Malcolm X” by Malcolm X
• “Long Walk to Freedom” by Nelson Mandela

What is a Biography?

A biography is a non-fictional account of someone’s life written by another person. It provides an objective understanding of the person’s life, covering various aspects such as their upbringing, education, career, achievements, and personal life.

The author of a biography is not the subject, and their interpretation of the subject’s life is not expected to be included in the text.

Biographies can be written about anyone, from historical figures to ordinary people who have made a significant impact on society. They are often researched and written by scholars, journalists, and other experts who want to provide a comprehensive and accurate account of a person’s life. And so, they are generally considered to be objective, as the author is expected to present a factual account of the subject’s life without any personal bias.

Biographies cover various events and information about the subject’s life. They may include details about the subject’s childhood, education, family life, career, and personal relationships. Biographies may also provide insights into the subject’s personality, beliefs, and values.

Here are some popular biographies and their authors:

• “Steve Jobs” by Walter Isaacson
• “A Beautiful Mind” by Sylvia Nasar
• “Unbroken” by Laura Hillenbrand
• “Mao: The Unknown Story” by Jung Chang
• “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecca Skloot
• “Einstein: His Life and Universe” by Walter Isaacson

What is a Memoir?

A memoir is a form of autobiographical writing that focuses on a specific period, theme, or series of events in the author’s life. It is much similar to an autobiography; the only difference is that an autobiography covers the author’s entire life while the memoir is focused on a particular period or event.

Memoirs are personal narratives that typically include the author’s reflections, emotions, and thoughts about their experiences. They are often considered to be subjective, as they are based on the author’s memories and perceptions of events, rather than objective facts.

To be considered a memoir, a book must be a factual account of the author’s life, but it does not have to be a comprehensive chronicle of their entire life. Instead, it should provide insight into a particular aspect of their life, such as their childhood, career, or personal relationships.

Here are some popular memoirs that have resonated with readers:

• “Educated” by Tara Westover
• “The Glass Castle” by Jeannette Walls
• “Heavy: An American Memoir” by Kiese Laymon
• “Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail” by Cheryl Strayed
• “Running with Scissors” by Augusten Burroughs
• “Night” by Elie Wiesel

These memoirs are just a few examples of the wide range of experiences and themes that can be explored through this genre of writing.

Autobiography vs. Biography vs. Memoir – Key Differences:

When it comes to writing about someone’s life, there are three main options: autobiography, biography, and memoir. While they all share similarities, there are some key differences between them.

Autobiography

An autobiography is a factual and historical account of one’s entire life written by the person themselves. It is usually written in the first person and covers the author’s life from beginning to end. Although autobiographies are often written by famous people, they can be written by anyone.

A biography is the story of someone’s life written by someone else. It is usually written in the third person and covers the subject’s life from birth to death.

A memoir is a nonfiction narrative in which the author shares their memories from a specific time period or reflects upon a string of themed occurrences throughout their life. Memoirs tend to focus on a particular aspect of the author’s life rather than their entire life story.

Comparison Chart

Here is a comparison chart highlighting the key differences between autobiography, biography, and memoir:

After examining the similarities and differences between autobiography, biography, and memoir, it is clear that each genre has its unique characteristics. While all three genres involve storytelling, they differ in their scope, focus, and style.

One notable difference between these genres is the level of objectivity. Biographies are often the most objective, as they are written by a third-party author who is not emotionally invested in the subject. In contrast, memoirs and autobiographies can be highly subjective, as they are written from the author’s perspective and often include their emotions and opinions.

Another difference is the audience. Autobiographies and biographies are usually intended for a broader audience, while memoirs are often more personal and may only appeal to a specific group of readers.

Overall, each genre has its strengths and weaknesses. It is up to the reader to decide which genre best suits their interests and preferences.

Also Read: What is the Fantasy Genre?

Related Posts

When did game of thrones books come out a timeline of release dates, when did twilight books come out a brief history of the twilight saga, when did harry potter books come out a timeline of the release dates, what is fantasy genre popular fantasy subgenres explained, hardcover vs paperback: which book format is better in 2023, paperbacks vs mass market paperbacks – how are they different.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

• Expert Publishing Services
• 917-922-1339
• [email protected]

Autobiography vs. Biography vs. Memoir: Differences of Each Type

How to Outline a Novel Before You Start Writing

The Best Way to List and Sell Your Book on Amazon

• autobiography

Do you ever get confused when trying to differentiate between an autobiography, biography, and memoir? If so, you’re not alone—these three genres are often used interchangeably, but each one actually requires its own unique approach. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the differences of each type and provide some handy tips on how best to write them all!

Introducing the different genres of writing—autobiography, biography, and memoir 

Three genres that often get jumbled together are autobiography, biography, and memoir. While they may seem similar at first glance, each genre has its own unique characteristics. An autobiography, for example, is a first-person account of someone’s life, typically written by the subject themselves. A biography, by contrast, is a third-person account of someone’s life, written by someone else. And a memoir is a focused, often thematic account of a particular period or experience in someone’s life. Knowing the distinctions between these genres can help you decide which approach is best for telling your own story or for crafting a compelling biography or memoir.

Understanding the differences between autobiography, biography and memoir

Autobiography, biography, and memoir are often confused with each other. An autobiography is a book written by the author about their own life experiences. In contrast, a biography is a book written by someone else about another person’s life experiences. Finally, a memoir is a book written about a specific time or event in the author’s life. These three genres require different approaches to writing and reading. Autobiographies are generally more personal, while biographies generally intend to provide a more objective view of a person’s life. Memoirs allow for a deeper exploration of a specific period of time or event.

Exploring the benefits of writing an autobiography

Writing an autobiography can serve as a time capsule for one’s life experiences and also act as a vehicle for personal growth and self-reflection. Through the process of writing, individuals have the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of themselves. Additionally, an autobiography can be an invaluable resource for future generations by providing them with a window into the past and the inner workings of their ancestors. If you’re looking for a way to capture your life story and leave a meaningful legacy, writing an autobiography might be a good idea.

Discovering the advantages of writing a biography

A biography records the life and accomplishments of a person. A biography can provide insight into the individual’s beliefs, accomplishments, and experiences that shaped their life. Writing a biography requires research , attention to detail, and a thorough understanding of the individual’s life. It takes time and effort. By capturing a person’s story in writing, we can learn from their life experiences and be inspired to pursue our own passions and dreams. Writing a biography can be challenging, but the end result is a rewarding tribute to a person.

Examining the unique aspects of writing a memoir

Writing a memoir is an incredible way to tell your story and leave a lasting legacy. What makes a memoir unique is that it is not just about recounting facts or events. It is more so about exploring the deeper meaning and emotions behind those experiences. It requires a delicate balance of vulnerability and objectivity, as you must be willing to share personal details while also maintaining a sense of clarity and purpose. To truly connect with your audience, it is important to infuse your writing with your own voice and personality, making the story feel authentic and relatable.

Making efficient use of resources when writing your story

Making an efficient use of resources will help create a compelling story that resonates with readers. Whether it’s time management, research, or even word choice, every decision plays an integral role in crafting a well-structured narrative. One useful tool for maximizing your efficiency is outlining your story beforehand, allowing you to flesh out characters and plot points in a clear and concise manner. Additionally, don’t be afraid to take advantage of resources such as writing groups, online tutorials, and feedback from industry professionals who can provide valuable perspective and insight into your work.

As you now know, autobiographies, biographies, and memoirs each have their own unique focus, purpose, and advantages. Writing your life story can be rewarding and fulfilling. Having a writing partner experienced with these genres to guide you on your journey can be invaluable in producing the story you want to tell. If it is time to tell your story―whether fact or fiction―contact Elite Authors today! We will help you choose the genre that best fits your project goals while helping you craft a stunning personal account that is sure to capture the imagination of readers everywhere.

Related posts

The Power of Book Series: Engaging Readers for the Long Haul

Overcoming Writer’s Block: Strategies for Self-Published Authors

Crafting Authentic Characters: A Guide for Self-Published Authors

Build your online presence with genuine book reviews! Explore packages from $449.

Need help moving your files from CreateSpace to KDP?

Let us help you move your book for free..

• Good Writing Habits
• Inspiration
• Writing Groups, Tools, & Software
• Writing Tips
• Book Design & Formatting
• Book Distribution
• Printed Books 101
• Publishing Industry News
• Self-Publishing
• Book Launch
• Book Promotion & Publicity
• Online Book Marketing
• BookBaby.com
• Publish My Book
• Free Catalog

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

Memoir, biography, autobiography, oh my! All these book genres have a focus on someone’s life and are written in completely factual ways. The adage that truth is stranger than fiction rings true when we delve into the lives of significant people or people who have endured something significant.

Table of Contents: • What is a biography? • What is an autobiography? • What is a memoir? • Differences between a memoir vs. autobiography vs. biography • Key features of a memoir • Key features of an autobiography • Key features of biography • BookBaby can help you self-publish

It’s easy to confuse the style and tone of these three different nonfiction books. Each has different requirements to qualify as a memoir vs. biography vs. autobiography.

What is a biography?

A biography is a novel written about someone’s entire life, typically in chronological order, written by someone other than the subject.

The topic of a biography will often be someone who is an important historical figure, a celebrity, or a person who has had significant cultural or societal impact.

One excellent example of a biography is The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, by Rebecca Skloot. This biography describes how a black woman’s body was used to advance modern medicine. Henrietta Lacks’ cancer cells were taken — without her knowledge — for medical testing and has served as the blueprint for cancer treatment.

This real-life tale reveals a hidden narrative in modern medicine and points to a history of racism in the field. The story was written and recounted by Rebecca Skloot, an American writer who has contributed to many scientific publications.

What is an autobiography?

While a biography is a written account of someone else’s life, an autobiography is written by the person who is the subject of the book.

The Autobiography of Malcolm X: As Told to Alex Haley details the life of civil rights activist Malcolm X. Written by Malcolm, this autobiography features a collaboration with author and journalist Alex Haley and was released nine months after Malcolm X’s assassination.

Reading an autobiography can be more powerful and intriguing than a biography, partly because the words and perspectives are unique to the subject. There are details and insights that only the person who is the subject can convey — unfiltered by the lens of someone else. As they recount the important events of their lives from start to finish, we get to experience it in their own words.

What is a memoir?

While a biography or autobiography usually focuses on impactful historical figures or someone who had significant cultural impact, it’s not only famous people who can write about their lives. While some lesser-known figures will be the subjects of those books, memoirs allow someone who has led a less “public” life to write about their experiences and the lessons they’ve learned.

A memoir covers a specific period of the subject’s life, often detailing a unique personal experience and how the subject was transformed by it. Unlike autobiographies and biography, a memoir does not present someone’s life from the beginning to the present (or the end). It gives us a unique look into a specific period that was transformational to the person writing it.

More than the other real-life accounts, memoir proves over and over how ordinary people can have great impact and insight writing about the trials they overcome.

Wild, by Cheryl Strayed, is a compelling example of a memoir vs. autobiography. This is a story about a young woman who, after losing her mother to cancer and getting divorced (among other travails), embarks on a 1,100-mile hike on the Pacific Crest trail — alone.

Having no previous professional hiking experience, her expedition mirrors the inner trials and tribulations she overcame before surviving in the wild on this extraordinary hike.

Men We Reaped: A Memoir, by Jesmyn Ward, is another notable memoir. The story focuses on the death of five black men in Ward’s life between the years 2000–2004. Ward details the lives of these young black men who die early in her life and speaks to how young black men’s lives are cut short far too often. She traces the impact of these losses through her own family history and writes of the complexities of love and grief.

Differences between a memoir vs. autobiography vs. biography

Key features of a memoir.

As a rule, a memoir is pulled from the writer’s real-life experience. When a person picks up a memoir, they are expecting a story that truly happened to the author. That said, a memoir isn’t just recalling events and re-told to the reader. A satisfying memoir touches on universal themes about the life story uncovered by the events that happened to the writer.

Of course, memoirs aren’t here to preach a specific message or serve as a “how-to” guide to overcoming a particular experience — in the best memoirs, the author shows their emotional truth as opposed to the truth.

Memoirs do not have to be recounted in chronological order, and there is room for creative freedom. You can’t make up important events, but there is some wiggle room around specific details in dialogue and other specifics.

Notably, a memoir also doesn’t recount the author’s whole life, but details a pivotal part of it that holds significance based on the author’s transformation. It is the author’s recollection of memories and their perspective on it.

Key features of an autobiography

An autobiography is a life account written by the subject themself. An autobiography is a recounting of the writer’s entire life from childhood up until the age they are at the time of the writing, accurately detailing significant accomplishments and telling the story of the making of who the writer is and the events that shaped their life. All of the contents of an autobiography must be 100 percent true.

Key features of biography

A biography is an account of a person’s life story written by someone other than the subject. It is the author’s rendition of what the author knows about the person’s life, sometimes personally and certainly by collecting and researching information about their life. It is typically focused on someone of cultural or historical significance.

BookBaby can help you self-publish

Whether you’re embarking on an autobiography, a biography, or a memoir, drawing universal truths from the lives of real people is a rewarding task. Of course, as a writer, once you have completed the first draft of your manuscript, it’s important to have an editor work on your manuscript to ensure it reads clearly to your reader.

BookBaby offers three types of book editing services that will be good to use at different stages of your editing process.

Line editing is our most popular editing service for first-time authors. Our line editors will review your manuscript and check for style, structure, word choice and syntax. You will also receive feedback regarding pacing, advice for writing flow, and an audit on tone and style.

Copy editing might be the best option for nonfiction authors writing a biography, autobiography, or memoir. Copy editing is a “word-by-word” edit, focusing on spelling and punctuation, along with an intensive grammar audit.

Proofreading is the last and final stage. It includes a basic check for grammar, spelling, and any lingering typos before publishing.

When your manuscript is proofed and ready, BookBaby offers print-on-demand services and distribution of your book, so you can get your work in the hands of readers. Call one of our publishing specialists to get started at 1-877-961-6878 or visit us at www.bookbaby.com .

Related Posts What is Copy Editing and Does Your Book Need It? Finding Your Story In Your Memoir Sensory Language Makes Your Writing Come Alive What To Include In Your Memoir To Create A Powerful Reading Experience The Art Of The Memoir

LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Recent Articles

Poetry Formatting: How to Correctly Format Your Book

How to Self-Publish & Market a Nonfiction Book

How To Title a Poem

How to Write a Book With No Experience in 10 Steps

© BookBaby Blog. All Rights Reserved.

What’s the Difference Between a Memoir and an Autobiography?

By ellen gutoskey | jan 5, 2022.

On the literary genre spectrum, memoirs and autobiographies are right next to each other. They’re both nonfiction accounts of the author’s personal experience, usually written in first person (i.e. using I , me , and other first-person pronouns). But despite their similarities—and the fact that memoir and autobiography are often used interchangeably—they’re technically separate genres.

Since an autobiography is essentially just a biography written by the person it’s about, it has pretty much all the characteristics of a regular biography. As MasterClass explains , the narrative typically progresses chronologically and covers the subject’s whole life (thus far), with a focus on facts. That’s not to say autobiographies by default have bare-bones prose or a lack of emotion—the story of someone’s life will likely feature some fascinating formative memories and the feelings that came with them.

But those elements are much more integral to a memoir than an autobiography. According to Book Riot , a memoir doesn’t usually cover the author’s entire life, but instead a specific period or themes within it. Joan Didion’s The Year of Magical Thinking , for example, centers on the year after her husband, John Gregory Dunne, died of a heart attack in late 2003. It’s just as much a discourse on grief as it is an account of what happened in Didion’s life that year—and you might pick it up to read about grief rather than to learn about the author herself. Though Didion was, by that point in her career, famous enough that people would be interested to read about her experiences in particular, that’s not always the case with memoirists. Sometimes, it’s the subject matter that attracts readers, not the name of the author.

If you crack open an autobiography, on the other hand, it’s probably because you want to learn about the person who wrote it. Autobiographers are usually celebrities, from activists like Malala Yousafzai and Nelson Mandela to athletes like Andre Agassi —people who’ve achieved such success and/or have lived such high-profile lives that you’d want to read their full stories, starting from the cradle.

All that said, the differences between memoirs and autobiographies are more general trends than definitive guidelines. There’s no rule that says your memoir can’t be chronological, or that your autobiography must include your year and place of birth in order to be considered a true autobiography.

Have you got a Big Question you'd like us to answer? If so, let us know by emailing us at [email protected] .

Improve your writing in one of the largest and most successful writing groups online

Join our writing group!

Memoir vs. Autobiography: What Are the Differences?

by Chris Snellgrove

Thinking of writing about your life? In that case, you have a choice to make: a memoir or an autobiography? Each of these types of writing represents a different way to tell your life story.

Often, people hoping to commit their life stories into a book don’t know the difference between autobiography vs. memoir. But once you understand the key differences, you’ll be able to get started writing your emotional truth for the world to see.

What’s the difference between a memoir and an autobiography?

Memoirs and autobiographies are both nonfiction narratives written by the person that they’re about. Autobiographies encompass the entirety of a person’s life story, while memoirs focus on just one powerful experience or a group of experiences. Memoirs cover less time than autobiographies, and are often about conveying a particular message, rather than simply overviewing someone’s life.

We’ll dig deeper into both autobiographies and memoirs below.

What is an autobiography?

An autobiography is a first-person work of nonfiction that’s meant to cover an author’s entire life . Because of this, many choose to write autobiographies later in life when they have more of a life story to share.

You don’t have to be famous to write an autobiography. However, it can be a tough sell convincing the average reader to dive into a subject’s entire life if the subject isn’t someone they’ve heard of before. Having heard of the subject before makes reading about that person’s life seem more interesting.

If you’re not famous, you’ll just need to find a unique perspective or slant to make an engaging story out of your life.

How is an autobiography structured?

Most autobiographies are written in chronological order. This means your autobiography will be an entertaining and detailed chronology of your entire life from beginning to end.

Even though you’re writing creative nonfiction, a reader expects the same things from a good autobiography that he expects from any other narrative: an interesting series of events told in a gripping manner. Once you have this foundation in place , your autobiography should focus on the most important moments in your life.

It all starts with you plumbing your own memories so that you can establish important details like setting, characters, background, and so on. You may need to engage in meticulous research into your own family history to get all of the info you need. You’re basically the main character of your own story, and readers want to know more about the major events that shaped you into who you are today.

Since this may mean revisiting some of dark moments, an autobiography may quickly become a more sensitive work than you were expecting. Some writers turn to creative nonfiction in order to process trauma or difficult memories, and you might find this a helpful practice for you.

Your autobiography should end with you reflecting on what you have learned from each personal experience—coming to the end of your own Hero’s Journey . That means writing the book is a great way for you to examine how different life experiences shaped you as a person. Now, the conclusion to the book is when you share in your own words what you have discovered about yourself!

Examples of autobiographies

As we’ve noted, an autobiography often features famous people and tells the story of the author’s life up to that point. As a result, famous names and faces comprise many of the best autobiography examples throughout history.

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass is one of the most well-read autobiographies in the world. It helps that Douglass had such an impressive story to share with the world!

Before that, The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin was a best-seller. Who wouldn’t want to learn more about one of the most famous Founding Fathers?

Some other popular autobiographies include The Story of My Life by Helen Keller and The Autobiography of Malcolm X . While you don’t technically have to be famous person to write an autobiography, these examples show that it doesn’t hurt!

What is a memoir?

A memoir is a nonfiction book written in the first person that conveys your impression of certain memories over a limited amount of time . In this way, memoirs are very different than autobiographies, and may be more stylized.

While an autobiography covers the author’s life from a very young age to the present day—the full expanse of their experience—a memoir may instead focus on a shorter period of time, like the author’s teenage years or their career in a particular industry.

Some writers find memoirs easier to map out, because creating an interesting narrative about a person’s entire life is difficult—even if it’s your own! It may also be easier to attract readers with a memoir than with an autobiography. That’s because someone may overlook an autobiography if it isn’t by someone they recognize, but memoirs focus on interesting experiences can feel more accessible.

Before you start to write your own memoir, though, it’s important to understand the structure of this kind of narrative.

How is a memoir structured?

Memoirs provide a more flexible way to share your life story with others. You have more options when it comes to what the memoir focuses on and how you assemble your life stories into a compelling narrative.

You might write your narrative in the same chronological order that you would write a typical autobiography or fiction book. But in this case, the principle difference between autobiography and memoir is that the memoir is focused on a shorter time period. So instead of writing your story from childhood to present, you might recount your experience through your university years.

You can also write a memoir as a series of flashbacks, where the narrative bounces from the past to the present. This technique is very effective in showing how a person’s life and thoughts have changed over time.

Sometimes, the tale of the author’s life focuses on how they overcame a specific obstacle. This type of memoir functions as a kind of extended personal essay about the subject’s life and struggles. This can help you process and share difficult experiences.

While memoirs may have subjective elements as part of the memories and impressions that are recounted, it’s important that memoirs about overcoming difficulties represent a true story of your life. Otherwise, you risk the scandal that A Million Little Pieces provoked when it was revealed that author James Frey fictionalized much of it. (Alternatively, you could just change one or two names and call it a novel instead!)

Once you settle on how to structure your memoir, make sure it includes all of the necessary elements of any good story. For memoir and autobiography, this will usually include a first-person point of view (rather than a third person, or he/she, perspective), a cohesive story built around a theme, and a well-written tale of you overcoming obstacles while being emotionally open and vulnerable during the writing process.

Examples of memoirs

If you’re not among the famous historical figures over the years, a memoir might be a better choice than an autobiography. Memoir authors know their book will be less about celebrity gossip and more about telling a good story.

One of the most popular memoirs is Ernest Hemingway’s A Moveable Feast , a personal account of his time in Paris. A more modern memoir that kicked off an entire lifestyle is Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman’s Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia .

David Sedaris helped to redefine emotional rawness in his amazing memoir Me Talk Pretty One Day . Should you ever doubt how influential a memoir can be, look no further than Piper Kerman. After all, her Orange is the New Black: My Year in a Women’s Prison spawned an insanely-successful television show on Netflix!

Should I write a memoir or an autobiography?

Now you know the key difference between a memoir and autobiography. This leads us to the big question: between memoir and an autobiography, which one should you write?

If you’re looking for book sales, the better choice is usually a memoir. While the publishing industry loves churning out tell-alls from celebrities, they’re more cautious when it comes to championing an autobiography written by someone relatively unknown.

Furthermore, many writers prefer memoirs over autobiographies because they can focus more on subjective impressions rather than objective accounts. In other words, autobiographies tend to be about specific dates and facts; memoirs are explorations of personal experiences.

Finally, memoirs are more accessible for younger writers. Instead of waiting until you’re older and have more lived experience to share, you can focus on a specific event, experience, or perspective that you think will resonate with many different lives.

How to write an autobiography

As long as there are personal stories to tell, there will be plenty of autobiographies. But what separates a great autobiography from a bad one?

Good autobiographies starts with meticulous planning. We’re going to walk you through a step-by-step process that shows you exactly how you can get started.

Start with a good hook

Even being famous doesn’t guarantee readers will want to learn more about someone’s life. In order to get readers interested, you need to have a good hook.

Consider what sort of interesting things make your story unique. Did you spend time with someone famous in your line of work? Do you have insight into a cool, fascinating industry? Or did you overcome a seemingly insurmountable obstacle?

Whatever your hook, it’s a good idea to incorporate it into the title of your autobiography. For example, Maya Angelou’s famous I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings uses the evocative title to also describe the emotional truths that she discovered and unpacked throughout the book.

Craft a satisfying overall narrative

While this is easier said than done, solid autobiographical writing has to have an engaging narrative. In other words, it’s one thing for authors to write about their lives. It’s another thing for everything written to be entertaining!

Imagine the different people who populate your book as characters in a work of fiction. How will you describe their appearance, actions, and personalities? Interesting characters and relatable dialogue may make the difference between compelling writing and boring writing.

At its heart, though, the book will be about your own specific theme and conflicts as you overcome your obstacles. Again, you’re the hero of this book: time to make the story of your life something others want to read!

Map out a clear timeline

Compared to memoirs, which can be narratively experimental, autobiographies have a straightforward layout. Everything is written in chronological order. That’s why it’s so important to establish a clear timeline of events.

If you’ve never written an autobiography, you may think this means the author writes everything off the top of their head. In reality, the process can involve a lot of research to get important dates just right. Before you begin writing, put together an outline of important dates and events you want to touch on in your story (this can be a good practice for fiction, too !)

When the timeline of your book is clear, you make it easier for others to read and understand your story. When the timeline isn’t clear, though, your readers may just be left scratching their heads in confusion!

Conduct extensive research

We already touched on this, but once again: an autobiography requires a lot of research. It may be a very different process than what you’re used to in your other writing!

That’s because you can’t just rely on things like Google when it comes to your own life. You’re going to need to interview family members and friends, dig through old photo boxes, and learn as much about different eras of your life as possible.

How to write a memoir

Compared to an autobiography, a memoir isn’t just a historical account of your life. Rather, it’s a subjective peek into some of the most raw and formative experiences you have encountered.

Fortunately, there are a few key ingredients to writing solid memoirs. These tips will help you hit the ground running when you decide to sit down and write!

Develop a powerful theme

Themes are an element of autobiographical writing, but they aren’t at the centre of the narrative. In memoirs, though, a powerful theme is the most important way to help your story stand out.

Again, it helps to think like a fiction writer when developing this theme. Is this a story of a person succeeding an unforgiving world? A heartbreaking work of someone learning brutal lessons about love? Or maybe a coming-of-age story where someone’s forced to grow up too soon?

With memoirs, you have the freedom of focusing on only one part of your life. Be sure to develop a powerful theme and use it to unify the rest of the narrative.

Highlight its universal appeal

While it’s easier said than done, a good memoir needs to have universal appeal. In other words, no matter how fantastic your tale is, there should be something any reader can relate to.

For example, nobody else may have endured the exact heartbreak you did, but everyone has suffered from a broken heart at least once. Because of this, tales of love lost always find an audience.

Everyone has failed at something and then tried to make a comeback. Because of this, tales of redemption have a universal appeal.

By choosing a theme that’s universally resonant, you can gain the largest possible audience for your memoir.

Balance facts and personal reflection

Though known for poetry rather than memoirs, Emily Dickinson offers memoir writers some great advice: “Tell the truth, but tell it slant.”

As we noted, it’s important for memoirs to convey true events. If the events aren’t true, then memoirs lose all their appeal and become just another kind of fiction.

However, memoirs are more personal than autobiographies are. This gives you room to reflect on different people and experiences through a more subjective lens. By combining interesting stories with engaging reflections, you can keep readers captivated.

Begin writing the story of your life

Memoirs and autobiographies offer different ways to share your life with the world. While these primary formats for writing about yourself share some similarities, there are key differences that may influence your choice.

Once you have decided on which medium is right for you, you may be surprised at how rewarding writing about your life can be. This way, you also leave a powerful legacy for future readers to discover.

Get feedback on your writing today!

Scribophile is a community of hundreds of thousands of writers from all over the world. Meet beta readers, get feedback on your writing, and become a better writer!

Join now for free

Related articles

Writing Effective Dialogue: Advanced Techniques

Writing the 100-Word Memoir

Writing First Person Point of View: Definition & Examples

Romance Book Tropes: 50+ Ways to Turn Up Your Story’s Heat

What Is Writer’s Block? with 15+ Ways to Beat It for Good

What is Mood in Literature? Mood Definition and Examples

Autobiography vs. Biography vs. Memoir: What’s the Difference?

This post may contains affiliate links. If you click and buy we may make a commission, at no additional charge to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more details.

Autobiographies, biographies, and memoirs. These are the three main formats that tell a real person’s life story.

But unless you’re in the know, it can be a little confusing to tell the difference between each one. While they all serve a similar purpose, they each have distinctions that set them apart from one another.

In this post, I’ll explain the differences between autobiographies, biographies, and memoirs. And to clear up any confusion, I’ll provide some famous examples of each one.

Table of Contents

Autobiography vs. Biography vs. Memoir

Autobiographies.

An autobiography is an account of a person’s life, written by that person. The word originates from the Greek’ auto’, ‘bios’ and ‘graphein’, meaning ‘self,’ ‘life,’ and ‘to write.’

Since the narrator is also the subject of the story, autobiographies tend to be written in the first person.

The majority of autobiographies begin by documenting childhood experiences, working their way chronologically upwards through the decades. The author will include major and minor events that have shaped their lives and stood out to them on their journey.

A detailed autobiography will cover things like a person’s earliest memories, early family life, and upbringing. They might share stories from their education, their careers, and their relationships, as well as triumphs and challenges they’ve faced along the way.

Since an autobiography is a life story, most people wait until their later years before they pen their own, but this isn’t always true. There are plenty of autobiographies written by younger people too. Anyone that has led an interesting life can write an autobiography.  

Here’s a few examples of autobiographies written by famous people:

• Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin wrote his autobiography from 1771 to 1790. It tells the fascinating tale of his rise to power, from a boy born into a lower-middle-class family in Boston, Massachusetts, to becoming one of America’s founding fathers.

• Mein Kampf by Adolf Hitler

Adolf Hitler’s autobiography Mein Kampf, meaning ‘my struggle,’ gives us a raw and eye-opening look into the unseen life of this mass-murdering dictator. It’s not an easy or lighthearted read by any means. Still, it gives the reader a fascinating insight into his early life, his rise to power, and his own justifications behind his monstrous genocidal policies.

• The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

This is a more unusual example of an autobiography, but it’s an autobiography non the less. Ann Frank’s real-life diary documents her experience as a Jewish teenager who was  forced into hiding  during World War II.

Biographies

Just like an autobiography, a  biography  tells a person’s life story. But in this case, it is written by another author, rather than the person themselves.

Biographies are most often written about famous, notable people who have led interesting lives. They usually include factual details, such as their birthplace, their education, their partners and relationships, and facts about their career.

But a good biography will also cover how key events have shaped a person’s life. Biography authors will compile information from a wide range of sources, including interviews with the person in question or their friends, colleagues, and family members. They may also source information from letters, diaries, past interviews, and periodicals.

Here are a few examples of famous biographies:

• Churchill: A Life by Martin Gilbert

Many authors over the year have written biographies about his iconic British prime minister. Still, it’s Martin Gilbert’s work which has been by far the most successful and celebrated. 

Through years of in-depth research, Gilbert gives readers a comprehensive and honest insight into the life of the man who led Britain through the Second World War.

• Frida: Biography of Frida Kahlo by Hayden Herrera

Hayden Herrera wrote this eye-opening biography of celebrated painter Frida Kahlo back in 1983, and it has since become the most authoritative account of her life in print.

The book documents Kahlo’s struggles and pain, but it also tells of her artistic prowess and her determination to leave a positive influence on the world.  

• Sylvia Plath and Life Before Ted by Andrew Wilson 

Rather than focusing on Sylvia Plath’s painful struggles with mental health and her turbulent marriage to English poet Ted Hughs, this biography tells of Plath’s earlier life, before the pair ever met. Taking information directly from her detailed diary entries, Wilson has complied an insightful picture of the American writer’s early experiences before she found fame.

Taken from the French word for ‘memory,’ a  memoir  is a non-fiction, self-written account of a person’s life. But unlike an autobiography, a memoir focuses much more on the emotional journey rather than chronologically recounting facts and events.

Memoirs are essentially a collection of memories that are important to the author, and they paint an intimate portrait of what it was like to be in their shoes.

Due to the similar nature of memoirs and autobiographies, it’s sometimes hard to denote the difference between the two, especially in the modern era when genres are often blended, and new ways of writing become commonplace.

One key thing to remember is that a memoir is usually less of a timeline of events and more an informal, emotional picture of a person’s life. Memoirs will often focus on things like past regrets and life lessons learned along the way, whereas autobiographies concentrate on facts and things that happened.

Here are a few examples of famous memoirs:

• I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

The American writer and civil rights activist Maya Angelou wrote a total of seven autobiographies and memoirs during her lifetime, but this is the most notable one of them all.

This famous memoir documents the first seventeen years of her life as a young African American woman, and all of the struggles and turmoils she faced and overcame during that time.

• Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

This travel memoir written by the New York Times best-selling author Elizabeth Gilbert was subsequently turned into a blockbuster movie starring Julia Roberts.

It documents Gilbert’s personal journey of rebirth following a painful divorce and invites the reader to share the valuable and life changing lessons she learns along the way.

• Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt

Frank McCourt’s moving memoir takes us on an in-depth journey through his childhood years when he lived a profoundly impoverished life in Ireland during the midst of the Great Depression.

It won a 1997 Pulitzer Prize and has also been adapted to the silver screen.

Autobiographies, biographies, and memoirs all do one job: they tell a person’s non-fictional life story. But as you can see, each one is unique in its own way.

Do you have a favorite autobiography, biography, or memoir?

Let us know in the comments below.

Check out these other great articles!

• 7 Essential Tips for Writing Poetry
• The Best Note Taking App for Writers
• 6 Tips for Writing Creative Non-Fiction
• 11 Extraordinary Stephen King Writing Tips
• 6 Tips for Writing a Book All Writers Must Know

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

What Are the Major Differences Between Memoir and Autobiography?

Rebecca Hussey

Rebecca holds a PhD in English and is a professor at Norwalk Community College in Connecticut. She teaches courses in composition, literature, and the arts. When she’s not reading or grading papers, she’s hanging out with her husband and son and/or riding her bike and/or buying books. She can't get enough of reading and writing about books, so she writes the bookish newsletter "Reading Indie," focusing on small press books and translations. Newsletter: Reading Indie Twitter: @ofbooksandbikes

View All posts by Rebecca Hussey

Feeling confused about the difference between memoir and autobiography? You’re not the only one. The terms are sometimes used interchangeably, and there is a lot of overlap between the two, so confusion is understandable. But there are some basic differences that will help you distinguish between them and make sure you are using the most appropriate word. Knowing the difference will help you choose what to read, as well: you should know what you are getting into when you pick up a book labeled memoir vs. autobiography.

First, let’s discuss similarities between the two. Both autobiography and memoir are first-person accounts of the writer’s life. This means the writer is describing her or his life using “I” and “me” (“I did this, then this happened to me,” etc.) One exception to this is that sometimes autobiographies are written in the third person (where the author refers to him or herself as “he” or “she”), but this is not common and rarely seen in contemporary writing. Mostly, both genres are about writers telling readers about their lives in their own voice.

That’s pretty simple. What’s trickier is figuring out what makes these genres different. So here’s a breakdown of the difference between memoir and autobiography, that I’ll discuss more below.

Memoir vs. Autobiography Basics

1. autobiography usually covers the author’s entire life up to the point of writing, while memoir focuses only on a part of the author’s life..

There are going to be exceptions to every point on this list, but generally speaking, autobiography aims to be comprehensive, while memoir does not. Autobiographers set out to tell the story of their life, and while some parts will get more detail than others, they usually cover most or all of it.

Memoirists will often choose a particularly important or interesting part of their life to write about and ignore or briefly summarize the rest. They will sometimes choose a theme or subject and tell stories from different parts of their life that illustrate its significance to them.

As examples,  The Autobiography of Malcolm X  covers the major points of Malcolm X’s life, while  Abandon Me: A Memoir by Melissa Febos focuses mainly on two significant relationships (with her father and with a lover).

2. In autobiography, authors usually tell their life stories because they are famous and important. A memoirist can be anybody, famous or not.

Long Walk to Freedom,  Nelson Mandela’s autobiography, is a good example: he was an important person whose personal account of his life matters because of who he was and everything he accomplished.

For memoir, Mary Karr’s  The Liar’s Club is not the story of a famous person; instead, it’s an account of a regular person’s childhood. Her childhood was especially eventful, but it doesn’t stand out because she was famous. Memoirists do sometimes become famous, but usually it’s for writing memoirs.

3. People read autobiographies because they want to know about a particular (probably famous) person. They read memoirs because they are interested in a certain subject or story or they are drawn to the writer’s style or voice.

The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is a book people might read because they want to learn about an important historical figure. They may also have heard it’s exceptionally interesting and well-written, but the desire to learn about a person who shaped U.S. history is probably the main motivation.

On the other hand, readers may pick up Roxane Gay’s memoir  Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body because they want to read about food, weight, and body image. Or they may admire Gay’s essays available online and want to explore more of her work. The motivation here is more about subject and style and less about the writer as a historical or cultural figure.

4. Autobiographies tend to be written in chronological order, while memoirs often move back and forth in time.

When readers pick up an autobiography, they expect it to begin with the author’s childhood (or perhaps even with the author’s parents’ lives), to proceed through young adulthood and middle age, through to the time of the writing. Olaudah Equiano’s  The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano  does just that, opening with his childhood and proceeding in a straightforward manner through time.

Memoirs, on the other hand, can be much looser in their treatment of time.  Heart Berries by Terese Marie Mailhot shifts back and forth in time and has a structure more focused on theme than chronology. We finish the book with a sense of the major events of Mailhot’s life, but not necessarily their order.

5. Autobiography places greater emphasis on facts and how the writer fits into the historical record, while memoir emphasizes personal experience and interiority.

Autobiographies are sometimes thought of as a form of history and they are used as source material for historians. While it’s possible for both autobiographers and memoirists to get their facts wrong, the stakes are higher for the autobiographer who made history or witnessed historically-important events.

Frederick Douglass’s Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass  is important in part because of Douglass’s work as an orator, statesman, and abolitionist. His historical stature adds to the significance of his book.

The facts matter in memoir, but it’s understood that memoirists select and shape the facts of their lives to explore their chosen theme. Darin Strauss’s  Half a Life: A Memoir is rooted in a real-life event—a car crash in which Strauss accidentally hit and killed a classmate—but it focuses on the emotional aftereffects of this event rather than the historical context of Strauss’s life.

And there you have it! Again, these distinctions are loose ones, but hopefully they have helped you understand the different connotations of the two words.

Want to read more about memoir? Check out this list of 100 must-read memoirs , this discussion of how to define the term “memoir,” and this post on short memoirs .

You Might Also Like

Memoirs vs Autobiography: Key Differences and Insights

By: Author Valerie Forgeard

Posted on June 4, 2024

Categories Storytelling , Writing

Memoirs and autobiographies are both fascinating genres that offer readers a glimpse into the lives of their authors.

The key difference lies in their scope and focus: while an autobiography covers the author’s life, a memoir zooms in on a specific theme or period. This makes memoirs more selective and often more intimate, focusing on personal experiences and emotions.

Autobiographies aim to provide a detailed and factual account of the author’s life from birth to the present. These narratives are comprehensive, aiming to cover significant life events and milestones. Readers of autobiographies expect a thorough chronology and a broad overview of the author’s life journey.

In contrast, memoirs are more subjective and reflective . They often explore specific experiences or periods in the author’s life, creating a deep emotional connection with the reader. Books like “Angela’s Ashes” by Frank McCourt or “A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius” by Dave Eggers highlight how memoirs weave personal narratives with broader themes, making them unique and engaging reads.

For more in-depth information, you can refer to Grammarly’s guide or Book Riot’s explanation .

Defining the Memoir and Autobiography

A memoir and an autobiography are both non-fictional, first-person narratives, but they differ significantly in focus and structure. Memoirs are centered around specific themes and personal experience s, while autobiographies cover an individual’s entire life chronologically.

Core Characteristics of Memoirs

A memoir focuses on personal experience and themes rather than the detailed timeline of a person’s life. It is written to evoke emotions and connect with readers on a personal level. Memoirists reflect on a specific time period or events, sharing intimate insights and emotions.

Key elements of memoirs include:

• Emphasis on emotional truth and personal experience
• Thematic focus, such as overcoming adversity or personal growth
• Written in the first-person narrative

Memoirs may not adhere strictly to chronological order but instead follow the internal journey of the author. For instance, someone might write about their experiences during the war or a significant relationship that defined their worldview.

Core Characteristics of Autobiographies

An autobiography is a factual, chronological life story that the subject writes themselves. Unlike memoirs, autobiographies cover the entirety of someone’s life, starting from birth and moving through their life’s events in order.

Key characteristics of autobiographies include:

• Comprehensive and chronological narrative
• Focus on factual and historical accuracy

Autobiographies aim to provide a full account of the individual’s life, from their early years to significant milestones and achievements. This makes the genre more extensive and detailed compared to memoirs. A classic example is the life story of Helen Keller, which covers her journey from childhood to adulthood.

Evolution of Literary Genre

The literary genre of memoir and autobiography has evolved over centuries. The memoir, derived from the French word “mémoire,” traditionally focused on personal accounts of historical events but has shifted to more thematic and emotional storytelling in modern times.

Autobiographies, on the other hand, have maintained their role as comprehensive narratives of entire lives. Famous historical figures often penned their autobiographies to document their contributions and legacy. Over time, both forms have grown in popularity and accessibility, allowing more diverse voices to share their stories.

The distinction between these genres helps readers understand the different ways personal narratives can be presented, whether through a thematic lens or a comprehensive life story.

Structural Elements

In understanding the primary differences between memoirs and autobiographies, it’s essential to explore how they are structured and the narrative techniques they employ. These elements shape how the story is conveyed and received by readers.

Chronology and Organization

Autobiographies typically follow a chronological structure , presenting a comprehensive narrative from birth to present. This clear, linear format allows readers to see the progression of the author’s life, providing a detailed and factual account.

In contrast, memoirs are more flexible and often organized around specific time periods or themes. This non-linear approach enables authors to focus deeply on particular experiences or moments, linking them through emotional or thematic connections rather than strict chronology.

This difference in organization means memoirs can jump back and forth in time. They employ flashbacks , thematic sections, and other narrative techniques to weave a more intimate, focused story. The emphasis is less on a complete life history and more on conveying the essence of certain experiences or insights.

Narrative and Point of View

Both memoirs and autobiographies use a first-person narrative , but there are distinct differences in how this point of view is utilized. Autobiographies aim for a more objective, historical account of the author’s life, emphasizing factual accuracy and a broad overview of life events.

Memoirs, on the other hand, embrace a more subjective narrative , often delving into personal reflections and emotional truths. The first-person narrative in a memoir provides a deeply personal and vivid portrayal of specific moments, seeking to resonate emotionally with the reader.

This focus on personal experience in memoirs often results in a more literary and expressive style , while autobiographies maintain a straightforward, factual tone. The choice of narrative style significantly impacts how readers connect with the content, making memoirs relatable on an emotional level and autobiographies informative and comprehensive.

Analyzing Themes and Content

Memoirs and autobiographies differ significantly in focus. Memoirs often emphasize specific themes and emotions, while autobiographies tend to cover a broader range of events and achievements, providing a comprehensive historical account of a person’s life.

Dominant Themes in Memoirs

Memoirs usually revolve around specific themes or intimate experiences . These themes might include childhood memories , overcoming adversity , or personal growth . Authors often use memoirs to explore deep emotions associated with these experiences.

For example, a memoir might focus on a person’s journey through a challenging illness or on the experiences of growing up in a unique cultural setting . This focused narrative allows readers to connect deeply with the author’s emotional landscape. The thematic approach in memoirs is typically more selective, highlighting pivotal moments rather than a full chronology.

Pivotal Events in Autobiographies

Autobiographies are generally more comprehensive than memoirs. They cover a wide spectrum of events from the author’s life, starting often from childhood and moving through to current achievements . These works provide a detailed historical account which includes education , career milestones , and significant societal contributions .

Unlike memoirs, autobiographies are structured to include both major and minor events in a sequential manner. This type of narrative allows readers to understand the overall context of the author’s life journey, often highlighting key achievements and pivotal events that shaped who they are. By offering a broad overview, autobiographies give readers insight into the complexities of an individual’s life over time.

Intended Audience and Interaction

Memoirs and autobiographies appeal to readers in different ways, focusing on connection and expertise. Memoirs often draw readers into personal and emotional experiences , while autobiographies highlight the subject’s breadth of life events and achievements.

Reader’s Emotional Connection

Memoirs often create a strong emotional connection between the reader and the writer. Authors focus on specific, relatable moments from their lives, allowing readers to see themselves in the stories.

Readers feel a personal link through intimate narratives about family, relationships, and personal growth. This format is subjective and selective, emphasizing emotional truth over factual completeness. Writing in this style encourages a deep bond by exploring feelings, motivations, and personal reflections.

Using a memoir, writers share experiences that resonate on a personal level, aiming to inspire or offer comfort to readers. They include details that evoke empathy and understanding, making the stories not just about the author, but about universal human experiences that many can relate to.

Subject Matter Expertise

Autobiographies, by contrast, focus on providing a comprehensive view of the subject’s life. They are often written by experts, famous people, or celebrities who share their life’s journey in detail.

Readers interested in gaining insights into a subject’s career, achievements, and significant life events gravitate toward autobiographies. The detailed chronology in these works offers factual accuracy, giving readers a structured and informative narrative.

Autobiographies serve as an authoritative record, covering a wide range of experiences with the intention of educating or informing the audience about the author’s life and the historical context they lived in. This makes them appealing to those seeking more than just a personal connection, but a documented account of one’s life and times.

Comparison of Memoirs and Autobiographies

Memoirs and autobiographies both chronicle a person’s life, but they have distinct differences in their purpose, scope, and emotional impact. This section explores these variations and showcases famous examples from each genre.

Key Differences in Purpose and Scope

A memoir focuses on specific periods or themes in an author’s life. It tends to be more reflective and emotional, offering deep insights into personal experiences. The writer highlights moments that convey the essence of their journey, often emphasizing emotional connections and personal transformations .

In contrast, an autobiography covers the author’s entire life, from birth to present. It is more comprehensive, providing a chronological account of events, achievements, and life milestones. While autobiographies aim to present factual and detailed narratives, they may lack the intimate emotional resonance found in memoirs. An autobiography aims to offer an accurate and exhaustive overview of the author’s life.

Famous Examples and Their Impact

Notable memoirs include I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou. This book dives into Angelou’s childhood experiences and captures the emotional struggles she faced. It emphasizes the emotional connection between the author and her readers, making it an impactful classic.

On the other hand, famous autobiographies such as Nelson Mandela ’s Long Walk to Freedom and Frederick Douglass ’s Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass provide comprehensive chronicles of their lives. Mandela’s book details his journey from childhood to becoming South Africa’s first Black president.

Douglass’s narrative gives a detailed account of his life as a slave and his path to freedom. These works are essential for understanding historical context and profound life experiences , making them invaluable to both personal and historical perspectives.

Cultural and Historical Significance

Memoirs and autobiographies play vital roles in documenting cultural and historical matters. They serve as tools for exploring societal norms and pivotal moments in history.

Influence on Society and Culture

Memoirs often provide a first-person account of significant historical events and societal changes. For instance, memoirs of war veterans contribute to historical accounts of battles, strategies, and the personal impact of war. They offer insights into overcoming challenges and the resilience of individuals and communities.

These works highlight personal achievements and failures, thus influencing cultural narratives . Memoirs of influential figures can inspire and shape societal values and beliefs. Through these narratives, readers gain a deeper understanding of diverse experiences and perspectives.

Representation in Literature and Education

Autobiographies and memoirs are integral to literature and education. Including these works in curriculums allows students to study firsthand accounts of historical and cultural legacies . They offer a chance to learn lessons from the past by examining personal experiences.

In literature, these narratives are celebrated as a genre that blends storytelling with factual recounting. Autobiographies are often seen as a masterclass in storytelling, providing a detailed exploration of the author’s life journey. Historians use these works to flesh out historical contexts, adding depth and personal touch to historical studies.

Writing and Publishing Memoirs and Autobiographies

Writing and publishing memoirs and autobiographies require a deep personal reflection and a clear understanding of the market. While both share similarities, they each have unique approaches to writing and publishing.

Personal Reflection and Narration

Memoirs focus on a specific part of the author’s life, emphasizing personal feelings and experiences. This intimate form often involves personal essays and reflections. Authors write in a narrative style to connect with readers on an emotional level. They recount events that shaped their lives and offer insights or lessons learned.

Autobiographies, on the other hand, provide a comprehensive account of an individual’s life. The author chronicles their life from birth to the present, aiming to present accurate and factual details.

While still personal, autobiographies focus more on a factual recount of events rather than emotional introspection. Both genres require the author to write from a first-person perspective, using “I” and “me” frequently.

The Publishing Process and Market

In the publishing world, memoirs are often seen as more marketable due to their emotional appeal and niche focus. Popular memoirs often inspire or help readers by sharing relatable experiences. To achieve success, authors need to build a platform and engage with potential readers.

Autobiographies might attract readers interested in the complete life story of public figures, celebrities, or historical personalities. These books aim to present a thorough account of a person’s life. Publishing houses look for well-documented stories that can provide an in-depth understanding of influential individuals.

Both memoirs and autobiographies require diligent editing and fact-checking. Authors may work with editors to ensure their narrative flows smoothly and is engaging. Understanding the preferences of the target market and tailoring the book’s promotion accordingly can significantly impact the success of both memoirs and autobiographies.

Personal and Emotional Aspects

Memoirs often highlight the emotional and personal dimensions of an author’s life. This section explores how individual experiences and relationships shape the narrative, adding depth and subjectivity.

Subjectivity and Emotional Truth

Memoirs are subjective by nature. They focus on the author’s feelings and emotional truth , using personal experiences to tell a story that resonates on an emotional level. Unlike autobiographies, which aim to be factual and comprehensive, memoirs prioritize how events made the author feel.

Memoirs can take creative liberties to enhance emotional impact. The emotional truth is more important than strict adherence to factual accuracy. This allows readers to connect deeply with the personal and sometimes intense feelings. Authors may reflect on specific events that had a significant emotional impact, diving deep into introspection and emotional reflection.

Family, Friendships, and Relationships

Relationships play a crucial role in many memoirs. Personal connections, whether with family, friends, or partners, often drive the narrative. These relationships add layers of emotional complexity to the memoir, providing insight into the author’s life.

Family dynamics might include supportive parents, sibling rivalries, or generational conflicts. Friendships can demonstrate loyalty, betrayal, or growth. Romantic relationships sometimes reveal passion, heartbreak, or unconditional support. These aspects make memoirs relatable and engaging by showing how personal interactions shape one’s emotional journey.

The focus on relationships allows the reader to see the author as more than just isolated incidents but as a person shaped by their interactions and emotional bonds. This makes memoirs emotionally rich and deeply personal.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

When writing memoirs, authors must navigate both legal and ethical challenges . Protecting privacy and intellectual property rights is crucial. Writers also face difficulties in balancing truth and memory.

Rights, Privacy, and Ethical Writing

Memoirs often mention real people. Writers must consider privacy rights and avoid potential defamation claims. It’s important to gain permission when possible or anonymize identities to protect others’ privacy.

Ethical writing also involves respecting intellectual property . Authors should avoid including content they don’t own or have rights to. Using someone else’s letters or diaries, for instance, without permission crosses ethical lines.

Considering these factors shows respect for those involved and avoids legal repercussions. Properly handling these issues helps preserve the integrity of the story and the author’s reputation.

Challenges of Truth and Memory

Writing a memoir involves recalling past events. However, memory can be subjective and unreliable. Authors must balance accurate story-telling with the limitations of memory . They should fact-check when possible but understand that some details may be influenced by personal perspective.

Ethical challenges arise from emphasizing certain facts or events while neglecting others. This can skew the story. Writers should aim for an objective tone but acknowledge that their own experiences shape the narrative.

Memoirists must also consider the impact of their true stories on those mentioned. Balancing truthfulness with sensitivity ensures the story is honest yet respectful of the individuals involved. This careful approach to writing maintains the author’s credibility and ethical standards.

Table of Contents

Memoir vs. Autobiography: The Difference Is a Lie

Famous authors vs. not-famous authors, a whole life vs. part of a life, chronological order vs. moving back-and-forth, facts vs. emotional experience, what’s the difference between a memoir and an autobiography.

What’s the difference between an autobiography and a memoir? I’ll tell you right now:

Memoirs are autobiographies without the elitist attitude.

Even though people say they’re distinct, there’s no real difference between these two terms. Especially once you start diving into what people claim the differences are.

It’s like saying a dog is different from a canine. Or a car is different from an automobile.

It’s completely bogus.

Literary distinctions like this are made up by English professors who want to sound superior.

For most nonfiction Authors, there’s no meaningful difference between an autobiography and memoir .

You don’t have to choose which one to write.

The whole idea of having to choose between them is ridiculous. This post will show you why.

Let’s start with the similarities between a memoir and an autobiography( since everyone agrees that they’re very similar):

• Both are books that you write about your own life.
• Both are written from the first-person point of view, a.k.a., the “I” perspective. Because you’re writing about your life story, that’s a no-brainer.
• Both are based entirely on real-life experiences. The Author might get creative with the style, but it’s a true story.

Now, let’s look at the commonly accepted differences.

Some people will tell you that anyone can write a memoir about their personal experiences.

But then they’ll say autobiographies can only be about famous people. They argue that people read them to learn about a famous person just because they’re famous.

That distinction is obviously made up by stuck-up literati assholes.

Who in their right mind would argue that we need to have two entirely separate genres of first-person books just because some people are famous and others aren’t?

That’s ridiculous.

Every person’s life is important. Everyone has a story to tell. And everyone who wants to write a book should.

Anyone who says otherwise is an elitist prick.

Literature professors will tell you that an autobiography covers the Author’s entire life, from birth to publication. Memoirs, on the other hand, only cover part of a life. It might be about a specific event or a set of specific dates from the Author’s life.

Again, that’s ridiculous.

First of all, no book covers an ENTIRE life.

Is there a difference between writing about your childhood, teenage years, and all the way through your big invention, versus just writing about the development of the big invention?

Maybe. But this decision isn’t about whether you want to write an “autobiography” or a “memoir.” It should be about what will be most interesting to the reader .

Making some artificial distinction between an autobiography and memoir puts the focus on the wrong thing. It makes the book more about the Author or the book itself than about the reader.

No one writes a book entirely for themselves. If they do, it’s not a book. It’s a diary.

I don’t mean that in a bad way. Diaries are great. But there’s no reason to publish a diary.

Even if you’re writing a memoir to tell your story to your friends and family, you’re writing for someone else. A small audience is still an audience.

That means that you should always keep your readers in mind when you write a book.

Readers don’t care whether your book is a “memoir” or “autobiography.” They care whether it’s entertaining, helpful, or enlightening.

These just get dumber and dumber.

Most other websites will tell you that autobiographies and memoirs are both written mostly in chronological order.

But genre purists insist that autobiographies are strictly chronological, whereas memoirs are mostly chronological but might have some flashbacks or move around in time.

So, here’s a philosophical question: if a famous person writes the book, but it jumps around, is it an autobiography or a memoir?

Nobody knows!

That’s because the whole distinction is completely made up.

Tell your story in the order that makes the most sense and that’s most entertaining to the reader. Period.

Whoever decided that an autobiography contains facts while a memoir focuses on emotional truths is full of crap.

This “distinction” ties back to the idea that only famous people write autobiographies. So, naturally, their readers picked up the book to learn FACTS about the famous person.

That might sound a tiny bit logical until you actually start to think about it.

When have you ever picked up a book that only listed facts about someone and actually read the whole book?

They were born here.

They grew up there.

They liked pancakes.

They didn’t like beets.

Be honest. You wouldn’t read that. No one would read that nonsense.

Lists of facts are dull, and no one is going to read a book that’s just a list of facts (that, in itself, is a fact).

People connect with stories about people. ​​​​ All great books about anyone’s life are the stories about the emotional experience of that life.

People read memoirs and autobiographies to learn something about their own lives through the life experiences of others.

When you break it down, there’s no difference between a memoirist and an autobiographer. They’re both writers sharing real-life stories in order to make an impact on a reader’s life.

Anyone who tells you there’s a difference has an elitist attitude.

The Scribe Crew

Read this next.

Authors Receive Authority – What does ‘The Medium Is the Message’ Really Mean?

Audiobooks: Who Benefits Most and Why Authors Should Consider Them

When Should You Hire a Ghostwriter for a Business Book?

Become a Bestseller

Follow our 5-step publishing path.

Fundamentals of Fiction & Story

Bring your story to life with a proven plan.

Market Your Book

Learn how to sell more copies.

Edit Your Book

Get professional editing support.

Author Advantage Accelerator Nonfiction

Grow your business, authority, and income.

Author Advantage Accelerator Fiction

Become a full-time fiction author.

Author Accelerator Elite

Take the fast-track to publishing success.

Take the Quiz

Let us pair you with the right fit.

Free Copy of Published.

Book title generator, nonfiction outline template, writing software quiz, book royalties calculator.

Learn how to write your book

Learn how to edit your book

Learn how to self-publish your book

Learn how to sell more books

Learn how to grow your business

Learn about self-help books

Learn about nonfiction writing

Learn about fiction writing

How to Get An ISBN Number

A Beginner’s Guide to Self-Publishing

How Much Do Self-Published Authors Make on Amazon?

Book Template: 9 Free Layouts

How to Write a Book in 12 Steps

The 15 Best Book Writing Software Tools

Autobiography vs Biography: Differences and Similarities

So you want to learn more about your favorite influential figure. Should you read an autobiography or a biography about them? 

It depends on what you’re looking for! 

Need A Nonfiction Book Outline?

In this guide, we’ll explain autobiography vs biography and help you choose which one you want to read. We’ll also touch on where memoirs fit in with these genres. Let’s dive in! 

This autobiography vs biography comparison includes:

The similarities between biographies and autobiographies.

Both biographies and autobiographies are written accounts of a person’s life. They typically recount the person’s life experiences, challenges, and accomplishments. 

Usually, each of these genres is written in a narrative style. In other words, it uses storytelling techniques to convey information about its subject. 

Autobiographies and biographies both feature context about the subject’s life by discussing the time in which the subject lived (or is living), the culture and location in which they live(d), and more. 

Like any good story, the best biographies and autobiographies often feature narratives about trials that are overcome and lessons that are learned. They may also focus on the influence and impact of the book’s subject. 

Difference between biography and autobiography

The biggest difference between an autobiography and a biography is that an autobiography is written by the subject of the book about their own life, while a biography is written by another person. 

For example, actress Lucille Ball wrote an autobiography about her life called Love, Lucy . Meanwhile, an author named Kathleen Brady wrote a biography about Lucille Ball called Lucy: The Life of Lucille Ball .

Here are a few other key differences between the two genres: 

1. Different perspectives

Naturally, an autobiography is written from the first-person perspective, which means the author is providing a personalized point of view on their own life. 

Meanwhile, a biography is written from a third-person perspective, meaning the author is writing from an external point of view, with limited insight into the subject’s personal thoughts or feelings. 

2. Control of the narrative

When someone writes their autobiography , they control which parts of their life story they include and which they omit. They can choose which perspective they share and which parts of themselves they want to spotlight. 

Meanwhile, a biography relies on research, interviews and sources to construct a complete picture of a subject’s life. A biographer is likely to be more objective in their presentation of a person—perhaps even including unsavory details about their subject that the subject themselves wouldn’t include. 

3. Levels of objectivity

Even the best autobiography will be subjective because it’s based on the author’s personal memories and feelings. 

On the other hand, many biographers strive to be more objective in their writing. They tend to consult multiple sources, conduct a variety of interviews, and more to make sure they’re writing an accurate portrayal of their subject. 

4. Sources used

Because an autobiographer is writing a story about their own life, their sources will primarily be self-generated. Though they may rely on those close to them, like family members, to verify or recount certain memories they hold. 

That said, many autobiographers still need to do research to add context and depth to their life stories, whether that’s learning about the town they grew up in, their family history, or something else. 

Meanwhile, biographers rely on archival materials, research, interviews, historical documents, and more to help them write the story about their subject. 

5. Writing style

Because autobiographies are more personal, they often reflect the author’s unique writing style and personality. 

On the other hand, biographies generally strive to be more objective, with a focus on a cohesive, well-researched narrative. (But to be clear: they can still be very engaging!)

Where do memoirs fit in? 

We’ve learned about the differences and similarities between autobiographies and biographies, so where do memoirs fit into the puzzle? 

Like an autobiography, a memoir is written by the subject of the book. Both genres tend to focus on the author’s personal life, are written in the first person, and can be highly subjective. 

However, where autobiography vs memoir differs is partially in the scope of the book. An autobiography often encompasses most of the author’s life, while a memoir is likely to focus on one specific event, theme, or period in the author’s life. 

Memoirs also adhere less to chronological storytelling than autobiographies do. They can jump around in time and tend to be centered more on themes, reflection, or specific, impactful moments in the author’s life. 

In summary, you can think of memoirs as even more personal than autobiographies, focusing on a selected part of the writer’s life. They’re also more likely than autobiographies to be written by folks who aren’t famous. 

Final thoughts

While biographies, autobiographies and memoirs all tell a subject’s life story, they do it in different ways. The type of genre you’d like to read (or write) will be contingent on what you’d like to learn about your chosen subject. 

If you’re interested in writing your own memoir, autobiography or memoir, we can help you do it. Simply schedule a book consultation to get started. 

Elite Author T. Lynette Yankson Teaches Perseverance in Her Children’s Book About a True Story

Children's Book, Non-Fiction

Elite Author Peder Tellefsdal Is On a Mission to Rebrand the Church with His New Book

Non-Fiction

How to Write a Biography: 11 Step Guide + Book Template

Join the community.

Join 100,000 other aspiring authors who receive weekly emails from us to help them reach their author dreams. Get the latest product updates, company news, and special offers delivered right to your inbox.

The Differences between Memoir, Autobiography, and Biography - article

Creative nonfiction: memoir vs. autobiography vs. biography.

Writing any type of nonfiction story can be a daunting task. As the author, you have the responsibility to tell a true story and share the facts as accurately as you can—while also making the experience enjoyable for the reader.

There are three primary formats to tell a creative nonfiction story: memoir, autobiography, and biography. Each has its own distinct characteristics, so it’s important to understand the differences between them to ensure you’re writing within the correct scope.

A memoir is a collection of personal memories related to specific moments or experiences in the author’s life. Told from the perspective of the author, memoirs are written in first person point of view.

The defining characteristic that sets memoirs apart from autobiographies and biographies is its scope. While the other genres focus on the entire timeline of a person’s life, memoirs structure themselves on one aspect, such as addiction, parenting, adolescence, disease, faith, etc.

They may tell stories from various moments in the author’s life, but they should read like a cohesive story—not just a re-telling of facts.

“You don’t want a voice that simply relates facts to the reader. You want a voice that shows the reader what’s going on and puts him or her in the room with the people you’re writing about.” – Kevan Lyon in Writing a Memoir

Unlike autobiographies and biographies, memoirs focus more on the author’s relationship to and feelings about his or her own memories. Memoirs tend to read more like a fiction novel than a factual account, and should include things like dialogue , setting, character descriptions, and more.

Authors looking to write a memoir can glean insight from both fiction and nonfiction genres. Although memoirs tell a true story, they focus on telling an engaging narrative, just like a novel. This gives memoir authors a little more flexibility to improve upon the story slightly for narrative effect.

However, you should represent dialogue and scenarios as accurately as you can, especially if you’re worried about libel and defamation lawsuits .

Examples of popular memoirs include Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert and The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls.

Key traits of a memoir:

- Written in 1 st person POV from the perspective of the author - Less formal compared to autobiographies and biographies - Narrow in scope or timeline - Focused more on feelings and memories than facts - More flexibility to change the story for effect

Autobiography

Like a memoir, an autobiography is the author’s retelling of his or her life and told in first person point of view, making the author the main character of the story.

Autobiographies are also narrative nonfiction, so the stories are true but also include storytelling elements such as a protagonist (the author), a central conflict, and a cast of intriguing characters.

Unlike memoirs, autobiographies focus more on facts than emotions. Because of this, a collaborator often joins the project to help the author tell the most factual, objective story possible.

While a memoir is limited in scope, an autobiography details the author’s entire life up to the present. An autobiography often begins when the author is young and includes detailed chronology, events, places, reactions, movements and other relevant happenings throughout the author’s life.

“In many people’s memoir, they do start when they’re younger, but it isn’t an, ‘I got a dog, then we got a fish, and then I learned to tie my shoes’…it isn’t that kind of detail.” – Linda Joy Meyers in Memoir vs. Autobiography

The chronology of an autobiography is organized but not necessarily in date order. For instance, the author may start from current time and employ flashbacks or he/she may organize events thematically.

Autobiographers use many sources of information to develop the story such as letters, photographs, and other personal memorabilia. However, like a memoir, the author’s personal memory is the primary resource. Any other sources simply enrich the story and relay accurate and engaging experiences.

A good autobiography includes specific details that only the author knows and provides context by connecting those details to larger issues, themes, or events. This allows the reader to relate more personally to the author’s experience. 

Examples of popular autobiographies include The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank and I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou.

Key traits of an autobiography:

- Written in 1 st person POV from the perspective of the author, occasionally with the help of a collaborator - More formal and objective than memoirs, but more subjective than biographies - Broad in scope or timeline, often covering the author’s entire life up to the present - Focused more on facts than emotions - Requires more extensive fact-checking and research than memoirs, but less than biographies

A biography is the story of events and circumstances of a person’s life, written by someone other than that person. Usually, people write biographies about a  historical  or  public figure . They can be written with or without the subject’s authorization.

Since the author is telling the account of someone else, biographies are always in third person point of view and carry a more formal and objective tone than both memoirs and autobiographies.

Like an autobiography, biographies cover the entire scope of the subject’s life, so it should include details about his or her birthplace, educational background, work history, relationships, death and more.

Good biographers will research and study a person’s life to collect facts and present the most historically accurate, multi-faceted picture of an individual’s experiences as possible. A biography should include intricate details—so in-depth research is necessary to ensure accuracy.

“If you’re dealing principally with historical figures who are long dead, there are very few legal problems…if you’re dealing with a more sensitive issue…then the lawyers will be crawling all over the story.” – David Margolick in Legal Issues with Biographies

However, biographies are still considered creative nonfiction, so the author has the ability to analyze and interpret events in the subject’s life, looking for meaning in their actions, uncovering mistakes, solving mysteries, connecting details, and highlighting the significance of the person's accomplishments or life activities.

Authors often organize events in chronological order, but can sometimes organize by themes or specific accomplishments or topics, depending on their book’s key idea.

Examples of popular biographies include Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson and The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot.

Key traits of a biography:

- Written about another person, often a celebrity or public figure, and told in 3 rd person point of view - More formal and objective than both memoirs and autobiographies - Broad in scope or timeline, often covering the subject’s entire life up to the present - Focused solely on facts - Requires meticulous research and fact-checking to ensure accuracy

• Biographies and Memoirs
• Zeinab el Ghatit</a> and <span class="who-likes">7 others</span> like this" data-format="<span class="count"><span class="icon"></span>{count}</span>" data-configuration="Format=%3Cspan%20class%3D%22count%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22icon%22%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E%7Bcount%7D%3C%2Fspan%3E&IncludeTip=true&LikeTypeId=00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000" >

Met you this morning briefly and just bought your book on Amazon. Congratulations. 

Very helpful. I think I am heading down the path of a memoir.

Thank you explaining the differences between the three writing styles!

Very useful article. Well done. Please can we have more. Doctor's Orders !!!

My first book, "Tales of a Meandering Medic" is definitely a Memoir.

© Copyright 2018 Author Learning Center. All Rights Reserved

• Britannica Homepage
• Ask the Editor
• Word of the Day
• Core Vocabulary
• Most Popular
• Browse the Dictionary
• My Saved Words

The Difference between Memoir and Autobiography

The words 'memoir' and 'autobiography' are both used to describe written accounts of a person's life that are written by the person themselves. Sometimes the words are used interchangeably to mean "a written history of a person's life." Sometimes 'memoir' is used to mean something different.

An autobiography is an account of a person's entire life, but a memoir usually is only about one part of a person's life. A memoir might be about a person's struggles with homelessness or addiction, or about their adventures traveling the world, or about their experience becoming an actor.

A narrative about a person's life from birth or early childhood is usually called an autobiography. A narrative about a specific period of a person's life or a specific experience is usually called a memoir.

I hope this helps.

• About Us & Legal Info
• Partner Program
• Privacy Notice
• Terms of Use
• Pronunciation Symbols

• Key Differences

Know the Differences & Comparisons

Difference Between Autobiography and Memoir

While an autobiography covers the entire life of the writer, the memoir is about a part of life of the writer. Read the article provided below, in which substantial differences between autobiography and memoir are explained in detail.

Content: Autobiography Vs Memoir

Comparison chart, similarities.

Definition of Autobiography

Autobiography is a detailed account of an individual’s life, written or told by that individual himself. It is an abbreviated summary written in chronological order, that tells one’s experience in life, like the highs and lows, in different phases like childhood, adulthood and so on. Usually, they are written in the first person, ‘I’ and in this way the writer can easily express his views on the life events.

An autobiography can be written by the subject or the subject may hire a ghost writer, to write for them. It can be in the form of books, audio recording, drama, skit, documentaries or movies.

Definition of Memoir

The word ‘memoir’ is a French term which refers to reminiscence or remembrance. It is a memory written by the subject himself, in real time that presents a moral or message to the readers. It aims to explain how the subject learned a lesson from his experience or how he changed himself. The author of the memoir is called memorist. It covers a specific section, stage or time of the author’s life, that cause him to change like a turning point or a failure, etc.

A memoir is a less formal, often friendly work, which is supposed to cover the details that are accurate and facts based. It is structure-less i.e. it can begin at any point.

Key Differences Between Autobiography and Memoir

The significant differences between autobiography and memoir are described in the points given below:

• A form of literature, in which the subject writes or narrates his own life story, is known as Autobiography. The memoir is a literary genre, which is a collection of memories, written by the individual on the incidents and events occurred to him in his life.
• An autobiography contains intricate details about the life events of the subject. On the other hand, a memoir is more centralised in nature which focuses on the specific events that happened to the author.
• An autobiography covers the entire life of the subject, but a memoir spans a particular section or time or stage, of the memoirist’s life.
• An autobiography is written in first or third person, whereas a memoir is written in the first person.
• An autobiography focuses on all events of the life of the protagonist. In contrast, memoir, focuses on exploring any particular event or incident in depth, which is important to the memorist.
• An autobiography follows a chronological order while a memoir is structure-less i.e. it does not follow any order like a novel, it can start at any point.
• Nonfictional literary genre.
• Written by the subject himself.
• Written in the first person.

A memoir is recognised as a subgenre of the biography and autobiography. The basic difference between these two literary forms is that an autobiography is a story of a life that contains all the details of the life of the main character like birthplace, education, work, relationship, etc. of the subject. On the other hand, memoir focuses on a specific aspect of the lead character’s life.

You Might Also Like:

September 23, 2019 at 7:10 pm

I like it a lot

November 18, 2022 at 11:49 pm

Gracious! what an extraordinary post which I appreciated the most. Gratitude for sharing!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Biography vs Autobiography: Similarities and Differences

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

Learn about our Editorial Process

A biography is an account of someone’s life story that is written by an author who is not the subject of the nook. An autobiography, on the other hand, involves an individual narrating their own life experiences.

The differences between biographies and autobiographies relate most prominently to the authorhship:

• Autobiography: When you read an autobiography, you’re getting the author’s own interpretation of their life.
• Biography: When you read a biography, you experience the subject’s life through someone else’s lens (Schiffrin & Brockmeier, 2012).

Biography vs Autobiography

1. biography.

A biography is a detailed account of a person’s life, scripted by an author who is not the person who is featured in the text itself.

This type of life story focuses both on factual events in the person’s life, such as birth, education, work, and death, but often also delves into personal aspects like experiences, relationships, and significant achievements.

It may also weave-in cultural and contextual factors that help illuminate the person’s motivations and core values .

Origins of Biographies

The concept of biography as a literary genre dates back to antiquity. Such works were primarily used to capture the lives of dignified individuals, mainly rulers and war heroes.

Suetonius’s Lives of the Caesars and Plutarch’s Parallel Lives are landmark examples from this ancient period (Sweet, 2010).

The popularity of biographical works only grew in the ensuing centuries, and they became a prominent part of many cultures’ literary traditions. 

Into the 18th century and during the Enlightenment, biographies began to present a more balanced portrayal of the subject. They would present both their strengths and flaws, providing a holistic perspective on the subject.

Dr. Samuel Johnson’s compilation of English poets biographies, Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets (1779-1781) ushered in a new era of biography writing by focusing on examining human nature (Ditchfield, 2018).

In the modern era, the genre has evolved and broadened, encompassing a diverse range of figures from all walks of life – there’s a biography in every niche imaginable, with each offering readers an in-depth exploration of their lives, their struggles, and their triumphs.

This demonstrates the enduring appeal of biographies and their value in providing snapshots of history through individual lenses.

Key Characteristics of Biographies

Examples of Biographies

Title: The Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets Author: Dr. Samuel Johnson   Description: Dr. Johnson’s work profiles the lives of 52 poets from the 17th and 18th centuries, including John Milton and Alexander Pope. He critiques not just the works, but also explores their personal lives and the sociopolitical contexts of their times (Johnson, 1781). Johnson’s study is invaluable for its integrated historic and biographic approach.

Title: The Life of Samuel Johnson Author: James Boswell   Description: This work by Boswell explores, in great depth, the life of his friend and mentor, Dr. Samuel Johnson. The biography offers a compelling portrayal of Dr. Johnson’s life, character, eccentricities, and intellectual prowess (Boswell, 1791). Boswell’s vivid account creates a near-physical presence of Johnson to the readers, making it one of the greatest biographies in English literature.

Title: The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt Author: Edmund Morris   Description: In this Pulitzer Prize-winning biography, Morris chronicles the early life of Theodore Roosevelt until his ascension to the U.S presidency. The work brilliantly captures Roosevelt’s extraordinary career and his transformation from a frail asthmatic boy into a robust and vigorous leader (Morris, 1979). Morris accurately represents Roosevelt’s indomitable spirit, making it an engaging and educational read.

Title: Steve Jobs Author: Walter Isaacson Description: This comprehensive biography provides a deep-dive into the life and career of Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple. Isaacson had unparalleled access to Jobs and those closest to him, thus presenting an intimate and detailed account. He explores Jobs’ professional endeavors as well as his personal life, revealing his ambition, intensity, and visionary mind that revolutionized several high-tech industries (Isaacson, 2011).

Title: Alexander Hamilton Author: Ron Chernow Description: Ron Chernow provides a sweeping narrative of one of America’s most compelling founding fathers, Alexander Hamilton. Chernow combines extensive research with a flair for storytelling, charting Hamilton’s evolution from an orphan into a political genius. The book sheds light on Hamilton’s crucial role in the formation of the United States’ financial system and his political ideologies (Chernow, 2004).

2. Autobiography

An autobiography is a self-written record of someone’s own life. It is a personal narrative in which the author writes about their life from their own perspective.

Autobiographies are usually centered around the author’s personal experiences, including key milestones, challenges, and achievements (Eakin, 2015).

They’re also often a defense of the person’s perspective (especially in political autobiographies) or insight into their thought processes, which can make them very intimate.

Origins of Autobiographies

The term ‘autobiography’ was first used deprecatingly by William Taylor in 1797 in the English periodical The Monthly Review, when he suggested the word as a hybrid but condemned it as ‘pedantic’.

Pioneering examples of the genre form include Thomas De Quincey’s Confessions of an English Opium-Eater (1821) and the memoirs by veterans of the Napoleonic Wars (Lejeune, 2016).

However, apart from these early instances, autobiographies have been composed by a wide array of individuals from history. 

In the early 20th century, the genre witnessed major transformations, and autobiographies started to cover a broader spectrum of experiences, including trauma, struggles, and successes.

‘Black Boy’ by Richard Wright, for instance, shares the author’s experiences with racism and his journey towards developing a literary career (Wright, 1945).

This was followed by a host of autobiographies by public figures sharing their diverse stories, such as Ernest Hemingway’s ‘A Moveable Feast’, depicting his days as a struggling young writer in Paris (Hemingway, 1964). 

Autobiography as a genre has continued to evolve over the years, and a variety of forms have emerged to communicate individual experiences globally.

As history has progressed, we see more and more people with diverse perspectives sharing their stories, broadening our understanding of the human experience (Smith & Watson, 2010).

Key Characteristics of Autobiographies 

Examples of Autobiographies

Title: Long Walk to Freedom Author: Nelson Mandela   Description: “Long Walk to Freedom” provides an in-depth exploration of ex-President Nelson Mandela, his political journey, and his stand against apartheid in South Africa. The biography offers a unique perspective into Mandela’s noble character, his indomitable spirit, and his commitment to justice when faced with grave adversities (Mandela, 1995). Mandela serves as one of our times’ great moral and political leaders through this biography.

Title: The Diary of a Young Girl Author: Anne Frank  Description: This biography provides a startling firsthand account of a young Jewish girl named Anne Frank, who with her family, hid from the Nazis in Amsterdam during World War II. Her diary entries offer profound insights into the fear, hope, and resilience she demonstrated during her two years in hiding (Frank, 1947). Frank’s posthumous biographical record serves as a reminder of the injustices of the past and as a symbol of endurance in the face of oppression.

Title: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Author: Maya Angelou  Description: This moving autobiography charts Maya Angelou’s early life, from experiencing racial discrimination in the South to becoming the first black streetcar conductor in San Francisco. Angelou portrays her journey of self-discovery and overcoming traumatic experiences, including racial prejudice and personal trauma, with remarkable strength and grace. Her story is one of resilience, and it speaks powerfully about finding one’s voice (Angelou, 1969). 

Title: Night Author: Elie Wiesel  Description: “Night” is Wiesel’s personal account of his experiences in Nazi concentration camps during World War II with his father. This heartbreaking narrative describes not only physical hardship and cruel atrocities but also examines the loss of innocence and the struggle to maintain faith in humanity. It stands as a testament to human resilience in the face of unimaginable horror (Wiesel, 1960).

Title: Dreams from My Father Author: Barack Obama Description: In this engaging memoir, the 44th President of the United States narrates the story of his diverse background and early life. The narrative extends from his birth in Hawaii to his first visit to Kenya, from dealing with racial identity to self-discovery. “Dreams from My Father” not only provides personal insights about Obama’s life and values but also discusses issues of race, identity, and purpose (Obama, 1995).

Similarities and Differences Between Biographies and Autobiographies

While both biographies and autobiographies are excellent sources of information and entertainment about significant figures in history (or the present!), they serve different purposes. By knowing the different purposes of each, we can develop stronger media literacy , understanding what the intention of the author is, and how we should approach the text.

Angelou, M. (1969). I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings . Random House.

Baker, J., Davis, E., & Thompson, K. (2013). Reflection and Emotions in Autobiography . Chicago University Press.

Boswell, J. (1791). The Life of Samuel Johnson . J.R. Taylor.

Brown, J., & Brown, S. (2018). Thematic Focus in Autobiography Writing . Princeton University Press.

Chernow, R. (2004). Alexander Hamilton . Penguin Books.

Ditchfield, S. (2018). Extracting the Domestic from the Didactic: Transmission and Translation of the Sacred in The Lives of the Ancient Fathers (1672–1675). Church History and Religious Culture, 98 (1), 28-50.

Eakin, P. J. (2015). How Our Lives Become Stories: Making Selves . Cornell University Press.

Frank, A. (1947). The Diary of a Young Girl . Contact Publishing.

Hemingway, E. (1964). A Moveable Feast . Charles Scribner’s Sons.

Isaacson, W. (2011). Steve Jobs . Simon & Schuster.

Johnson, M., & Johnson, S. (2017). A Comprehensive Guide to Biography Writing . New York: Penguin.

Johnson, S. (1781). The Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets . Printed by C. Bathurst, J. Buckland [and 28 others in London].

Jones, B. (2015). The Art of Writing Biographies: An Objective Approach . Oxford University Press.

Lejeune, P. (2016). On Autobiography . University of Minnesota Press.

Mandela, N. (1995). Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela . Macdonald Purnell.

Miller, R. (2014). The Self as the Subject: Autobiography Writing . Stanford University Press.

Morris, E. (1979). The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt . Coward, McCann & Geoghegan.

Obama, B. (1995). Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance . Crown Publishing Group.

Schiffrin D., & Brockmeier J. (2012). Narrative Identity and Autobiographical Recall. Royal Institute of Philosophy Supplements, 70 , 113-144.

Smith, J., Davis, M., & Thompson, S. (2012). Third Party Narratives: An Exploration of Biography Writing . Cambridge University Press.

Smith, S., & Watson, J. (2010). Reading Autobiography: A Guide for Interpreting Life Narratives . University of Minnesota Press.

Sweet, R. (2010). Biographical Dictionaries and Historiography. Bibliothèque d’Humanisme et Renaissance, 72 (2), 355–368.

Wiesel, E. (1960). Night . Hill & Wang.

Williams, T. (2019). The Importance of Facts in Biographies . HarperCollins.

Wright, R. (1945). Black Boy: A Record of Childhood and Youth . Harper & Brothers.

• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 101 Class Group Name Ideas (for School Students)
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 19 Top Cognitive Psychology Theories (Explained)
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 119 Bloom’s Taxonomy Examples
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ All 6 Levels of Understanding (on Bloom’s Taxonomy)

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

• Subject List
• Take a Tour
• For Authors
• Subscriber Services
• Publications
• African American Studies
• African Studies
• American Literature
• Anthropology
• Architecture Planning and Preservation
• Art History
• Atlantic History
• Biblical Studies

British and Irish Literature

• Childhood Studies
• Chinese Studies
• Cinema and Media Studies
• Communication
• Criminology
• Environmental Science
• Evolutionary Biology
• International Law
• International Relations
• Islamic Studies
• Jewish Studies
• Latin American Studies
• Latino Studies
• Linguistics
• Literary and Critical Theory
• Medieval Studies
• Military History
• Political Science
• Public Health
• Renaissance and Reformation
• Social Work
• Urban Studies
• Victorian Literature
• Browse All Subjects

How to Subscribe

• Free Trials

In This Article Expand or collapse the "in this article" section Biography and Autobiography

Introduction, general theoretical overviews and textbooks.

• Ancient and Premodern Periods
• 16th–19th Centuries
• 20th–21st Centuries
• Interviews and Recordings
• Foreign-Language Journals
• Autobiography and Memoir
• Letters and Diaries
• Holocaust Representations
• Audio/Visual Life Narrative
• Digital Life Narrative
• Fiction, Fact, and Life Narrative
• Literary Selves and Authorship
• Historical, Political, and Ethical Contexts
• Religion, War, Migration and Travel, Family
• Identity Interests and Claims

Related Articles Expand or collapse the "related articles" section about

About related articles close popup.

Lorem Ipsum Sit Dolor Amet

Vestibulum ante ipsum primis in faucibus orci luctus et ultrices posuere cubilia Curae; Aliquam ligula odio, euismod ut aliquam et, vestibulum nec risus. Nulla viverra, arcu et iaculis consequat, justo diam ornare tellus, semper ultrices tellus nunc eu tellus.

• Edmund Gosse
• Irish Life Writing

Other Subject Areas

Forthcoming articles expand or collapse the "forthcoming articles" section.

• Diary Criticism
• John Banville
• Middle English Literature
• Find more forthcoming articles...
• Export Citations
• Share This Facebook LinkedIn Twitter

Biography and Autobiography by Margaretta Jolly LAST REVIEWED: 26 July 2017 LAST MODIFIED: 26 July 2017 DOI: 10.1093/obo/9780199846719-0006

The history of life writing reflects the history of selfhood itself, particularly as it has tracked the rise of individualism and, arguably, individuality. Biography, the interpretation of another’s life, is an ancient form with roots in religious and royal accounts and can be found in all civilizations, although its didactic and moral emphasis has slowly faded in favor of debunking approaches. Autobiography is generally argued to arise in modernizing societies where the individual’s perspective gains cultural value, and has been linked to deep questions of self-awareness, self-division, and self-performance. The romantic period crystallized this relationship as well as linked life writing to a new cult of the author. In the context of late modern culture, life narrative has become still more autobiographical than biographical, an everyday practice of confession and self-styling. However, biography and autobiography are not always distinct. Memoir can focus on another or oneself and has become the preferred term for literary autobiography in the early 21st century, arguably because current tastes are for stories of intimate relationship in which elements of biography and autobiography come together. Critics have therefore become interested in the inevitable dependency of one’s own story on another’s, a subject of ethical trouble but aesthetic, intellectual, and political fascination. Such “auto/biographies” express a range of relationships, from the ghostwriter’s service to a public figure’s memoir, to the ethnographer’s or doctor’s view of a person as case history. More often, family relations are the grounds on which the complexities of representational contracts are played out. This negotiation relates to a second defining aspect of life narrative: the reader’s expectation that it be true. “Memory is a great artist,” claimed a great autobiographical experimenter, André Malraux, and an enduring critical question has been whether life writing can be both artful and historically accurate. Increasingly, however, scholars broaden from such aesthetic debates to consider the social, political, and psychological work of life narrative. Readers will therefore find that this article pushes out from the literary to encompass a capacious field of inquiry that includes social scientists interested in narrative or biographical methods, and interdisciplinary studies of personal storytelling in the contexts of human rights activism or, conversely, of the late capitalist trade in celebrity or exotic lives and digital cultures of self-publication. For literary critics, therefore, biography and autobiography are now generally appreciated as two genres within a bigger field of life writing, life narrative, or life story about self-other relations, although they remain touchstones for those interested in how life experience can be aestheticized.

Life narrative is found in all places and historical periods and encompasses many aspects of everyday speech as well as writing. It is therefore difficult to produce a definitive criticism, and the texts listed here divide between those with a more literary and a more sociological focus. From a literary or cultural-studies perspective, Smith and Watson 2010 provides the most condensed overview and builds on an important body of joint work by these North American scholars, particularly on the global, postcolonial, and feminist face of much life writing. Jolly 2001 remains the most internationally comprehensive guide, with analytical surveys and bibliographies of life narrative in all major continents and countries, from classical periods to the early 21st century. Broughton 2006 , an anthology that provides a selection of key critical interventions, also features an excellent introduction in which the author interprets the shifting critical emphasis from the life to the self. Marcus 1994 , written by another British critic, offers a more extended tracing of this “discourse” about auto/biography. The author’s brilliant thesis is that the genre has been the ground for fantasies about self-alienation in modernity and, conversely, for redemptive healing of its splits. Plummer 2001 approaches life stories from this redemptive point of view, as a sociologist in what the author defines as a radical humanist tradition, and also a gay man who has studied as well as lived the coming-out story. Harrison 2009 , also written by a sociologist, is an edited collection that points out the growth in narrative and biographical research methods for social scientists. Life narrative is inherently suitable for teaching both as method and topic with unique pulling power and accessibility. Fuchs and Howes 2008 , another edited collection of essays, is extremely useful for any would-be teachers, offering case studies, lesson plans, and syllabi, including from South Africa and Chad. Chansky and Hipchen 2016 offers carefully edited and organized selected essays tracing key debates in a one-stop volume that marks the multidisciplinary, multimediated direction of the field. Finally, the International Auto/Biography Association (IABA), launched in 1999 at Peking University by Zhao Baisheng, hosts a global network of scholars through biannual conferences around the world, a listserv managed by the Center for Biographical Research at the University of Hawai‘i, and a website hosted by Julie Rak at the University of Alberta. Zhao also edits a Chinese-language list of short biographies and has written a short book arguing that auto/biography is a field of literature that deserves to be an object of study in its own right. Limited bibliographic details for this show that, as of yet, such initiatives and English-language-based scholarship are not sufficiently integrated.

Broughton, Trev Lynn ed. Autobiography: Critical Concepts in Literary and Cultural Studies . 4 vols. London: Routledge, 2006.

Four-volume anthology of important critical texts from the 18th century onward, with an incisive introduction. Organized in eight parts within four volumes: Part 1, “Founding Statements”; Part 2, “Beyond Truth versus Fiction”; Part 3, “Discovering Difference”; Part 4, “Personal Stories, Hidden Histories”; Part 5, “Psychology, Psychoanalysis, and the Narrability of Lives”; Part 6, “Autobiography as Critique”; Part 7, “Personal Texts as Autobiography”; and Part 8, “Cultures of Life Writing.”

Chansky, Ricia Anne, and Emily Hipchen, eds. The Routledge Auto|Biography Studies Reader . Routledge Literature Readers. London and New York: Routledge, 2016.

One-volume anthology principally selected from the archives of the a/b: Auto/Biography Studies journal. Organized by school of thought, from debates about genre/canon to those of political identity and representation to early-21st-century concerns with medical humanities, postmemory, animalographies, graphic narrative, celebrity lives, and digital biography.

Fuchs, Miriam, and Craig Howes, eds. Teaching Life Writing Texts . New York: Modern Language Association of America, 2008.

Commissioned by the Modern Language Association of America’s prestigious teaching text series; signifies the academic integration of life-writing studies. Containing over forty-four short articles on teaching specific texts or genres, some with lesson plans, this work is a practical and inspiring teaching resource. Internationally focused.

Harrison, Barbara, ed. Life Story Research . 4 vols. London: SAGE, 2009.

Four volumes on methodological approaches within the social sciences in which research foregrounds the individual. Useful for related fields (nursing, criminology, cultural studies). Organized as five parts within four volumes: Part 1, “Historical Origins and Trajectories”; Part 2, “Theoretical and Conceptual Issues in Life Story Research”; Part 3, “Types of Life Story Research: Traditional and New Sources of Life Story Data”; Part 4, “Doing Life Story Research”; and Part 5, “Research Contexts and Life Stories.”

International Auto/Biography Association .

Founded in 1999 as a multidisciplinary network of auto/biographers, scholars, and readers to pursue global dialogues on life writing. IABA’s first conference took place at Peking University; it has met biannually since then in China, Canada, Australia, Hong Kong, Germany, Hawaii, England, Cyprus, and Brazil.

Jolly, Margaretta, ed. The Encyclopedia of Life Writing: Autobiographical and Biographical Forms . 2 vols. London: Fitzroy Dearborn, 2001.

First and still only encyclopedia in English on life writing and life narrative. Two large volumes include entries on important writers, genres, and subgenres. Entries encompass, for example, confession, obituary, and gossip; portraits; surveys of national and regional traditions from all continents and periods; and themes such as shame, adolescence, time, and self.

Marcus, Laura. Auto/Biographical Discourses: Theory, Criticism, Practice . Manchester, UK: Manchester University Press, 1994.

Brilliant intellectual and literary history of the ways that life writing from the 18th century to the 1990s has been conceptualized by writers, critics, philosophers, and journalists. Marcus rejects the idea that there is a stable genre of autobiography, but she proposes that there is, instead, a distinct genre of autobiographical criticism.

Plummer, Kenneth. Documents of Life 2: An Invitation to a Critical Humanism . 2d ed. London: SAGE, 2001.

DOI: 10.4135/9781849208888

A highly readable guide to life writing and life story as objects and methods of analysis from a sociological but also literary perspective, with a particularly useful section on interviewing. This edition substantially revises and improves Plummer’s original publication in 1983 while continuing to argue that radical humanism is life writing’s appropriate philosophical framework.

Smith, Sidonie, and Julia Watson. Reading Autobiography: A Guide for Interpreting Life Narratives . 2d ed. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 2010.

Authoritative, accessible guide to the cultural study of life narrative across genre, period, and place, with good attention to non-Western texts. Includes chapters on early-21st-century life narrative and visual-verbal-virtual forms, as well as a “tool kit” consisting of twenty-four strategies for reading life narratives, classroom projects, and a list of Internet resources.

back to top

Users without a subscription are not able to see the full content on this page. Please subscribe or login .

Oxford Bibliographies Online is available by subscription and perpetual access to institutions. For more information or to contact an Oxford Sales Representative click here .

• About British and Irish Literature »
• Meet the Editorial Board »
• Abbey Theatre
• Adapting Shakespeare
• Alfred (King)
• Alliterative Verse
• Ancrene Wisse, and the Katherine and Wooing Groups
• Anglo-Irish Poetry, 1500–1800
• Anglo-Saxon Hagiography
• Arthurian Literature
• Austen, Jane
• Ballard, J. G.
• Barnes, Julian
• Beckett, Samuel
• Behn, Aphra
• Biblical Literature
• Biography and Autobiography
• Blake, William
• Bloomsbury Group
• Bowen, Elizabeth
• Brontë, Anne
• Brooke-Rose, Christine
• Browne, Thomas
• Burgess, Anthony
• Burney, Frances
• Burns, Robert
• Butler, Hubert
• Byron, Lord
• Carroll, Lewis
• Carter, Angela
• Catholic Literature
• Celtic and Irish Revival
• Chatterton, Thomas
• Chaucer, Geoffrey
• Chorographical and Landscape Writing
• Coffeehouse
• Colonization, Contact and
• Congreve, William
• Conrad, Joseph
• Crime Fiction
• Defoe, Daniel
• Dickens, Charles
• Donne, John
• Drama, Northern Irish
• Drayton, Michael
• Early Modern Prose, 1500-1650
• Eighteenth-Century Novel
• Eliot, George
• English Bible and Literature, The
• English Civil War / War of the Three Kingdoms
• English Reformation Literature
• Epistolatory Novel, The
• Erotic, Obscene, and Pornographic Writing, 1660-1900
• Ferrier, Susan
• Fielding, Henry
• Ford, Ford Madox
• French Revolution, 1789–1799
• Friel, Brian
• Gascoigne, George
• Globe Theatre
• Golding, William
• Goldsmith, Oliver
• Gosse, Edmund
• Gower, John
• Gray, Thomas
• Gunpowder Plot (1605), The
• Hardy, Thomas
• Heaney, Seamus
• Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey
• Herbert, George
• Highlands, The
• Hogg, James
• Holmes, Sherlock
• Hopkins, Gerard Manley
• Hurd, Richard
• Ireland and Memory Studies
• Irish Crime Fiction
• Irish Famine, Writing of the
• Irish Gothic Tradition
• Irish Literature and the Union with Britain, 1801-1921
• Irish Modernism
• Irish Poetry of the First World War
• Irish Short Story, The
• Irish Travel Writing
• Johnson, B. S.
• Johnson, Samuel
• Jones, David
• Jonson, Ben
• Joyce, James
• Keats, John
• Kelman, James
• Kempe, Margery
• Lamb, Charles and Mary
• Larkin, Philip
• Law, Medieval
• Lawrence, D. H.
• Literature, Neo-Latin
• Literature of the Bardic Revival
• Literature of the Irish Civil War
• Literature of the 'Thirties
• MacDiarmid, Hugh
• MacPherson, James
• Malory, Thomas
• Marlowe, Christopher
• Marvell, Andrew
• Mary Shelley's Frankenstein
• McEwan, Ian
• McGuckian, Medbh
• Medieval Lyrics
• Medieval Manuscripts
• Medieval Scottish Poetry
• Medieval Sermons
• Middleton, Thomas
• Milton, John
• Miéville, China
• Morality Plays
• Morris, William
• Muir, Edwin
• Muldoon, Paul
• Ní Chuilleanáin, Eiléan
• Nonsense Literature
• Novel, Contemporary British
• Novel, The Contemporary Irish
• O’Casey, Sean
• O'Connor, Frank
• O’Faoláin, Seán
• Old English Literature
• Percy, Thomas
• Piers Plowman
• Pope, Alexander
• Postmodernism
• Post-War Irish Drama
• Post-war Irish Writing
• Pre-Raphaelites
• Prosody and Meter: Early Modern to 19th Century
• Prosody and Meter: Twentieth Century
• Psychoanalysis
• Quincey, Thomas De
• Ralegh (Raleigh), Sir Walter
• Ramsay, Allan and Robert Fergusson
• Revenge Tragedy
• Richardson, Samuel
• Rise of the Novel in Britain, 1660–1780, The
• Robin Hood Literature
• Romance, Medieval English
• Romanticism
• Ruskin, John
• Science Fiction
• Scott, Walter
• Shakespeare in Translation
• Shakespeare, William
• Shakespeare's Language
• Shaw, George Bernard
• Shelley, Percy Bysshe
• Sidney, Mary, Countess of Pembroke
• Sinclair, Iain
• Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
• Smollett, Tobias
• Sonnet and Sonnet Sequence
• Spenser, Edmund
• Sterne, Laurence
• Swift, Jonathan
• Synge, John Millington
• Thomas, Dylan
• Thomas, R. S.
• Tóibín, Colm
• Travel Writing
• Trollope, Anthony
• Tudor Literature
• Twenty-First-Century Irish Prose
• Urban Literature
• Utopian and Dystopian Literature to 1800
• Vampire Fiction
• Verse Satire from the Renaissance to the Romantic Period
• Webster, John
• Welsh, Irvine
• Welsh Poetry, Medieval
• Welsh Writing Before 1500
• Wilmot, John, Second Earl of Rochester
• Wollstonecraft, Mary
• Wollstonecraft Shelley, Mary
• Wordsworth, William
• Writing and Evolutionary Theory
• Wulfstan, Archbishop of York
• Wyatt, Thomas
• Yeats, W. B.
• Young Adult Literature in Ireland, Children's Literature a...
• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Policy
• Legal Notice
• Accessibility

Powered by:

• [185.39.149.46]
• 185.39.149.46

The Real-Life Inspiration for Rose From Titanic

James Cameron had this amazing artist in mind when he created Kate Winslet's iconic character.

We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back.

Kate Winslet portrayed protagonist Rose DeWitt Bukater, the love interest of DiCaprio’s character. A young heiress and socialite forced into a loveless engagement with a wealthy man (played by Billy Zane), Rose becomes enamored with Jack, a poor, free-spirited artist who made his way onto the doomed vessel.

Even a quarter-century after the film’s release, one of the most common questions among views of Titanic remains: Was Rose based upon a real person? The answer, according to Cameron, is yes … and no.

Titanic: James Cameron's Illustrated Screenplay

There was no Rose DeWitt Bukater aboard the actual Titanic , nor was she based upon any specific passenger of the ill-fated ship. But the character was partially inspired by Beatrice Wood, an avant-garde artist and studio potter who captured Cameron’s imagination and directly inspired elements of the older version of Rose’s character, played by Gloria Stuart.

“Beatrice was proof that the attributes of Rose’s character that I thought might have been perceived as far-fetched were not,” Cameron wrote in Titanic: James Cameron's Illustrated Screenplay .

The Real-Life Rose

While Cameron was developing the film that would become Titanic , actor Bill Paxton ’s wife, Louise Newbury, lent him a copy of I Shock Myself , Wood’s autobiography. (Paxton, a regular collaborator with Cameron, had a supporting role in Titanic .) Cameron immediately saw similarities between Wood and the protagonist he imagined for Titanic .

“The first chapter describes almost literally the character I was already writing for Old Rose,” Cameron wrote in the Illustrated Screenplay . However, Cameron noted that Wood is “only a refraction of Beatrice, combined with many fictional elements,” including memories of his own two grandmothers, one of whom was named Rose.

I Shock Myself: Beatrice Wood, Career Woman of Art

Wood, born in 1893, was educated in Paris and New York, and ran away from a wealthy, domineering mother at age 17 to became an artist and ceramicist, according to the Illustrated Screenplay . Rose has a similar life story in Titanic , fleeing from her mother’s machinations for an arranged marriage in favor of a life on her own terms as an artist.

“I left home, a luxurious home, with $15, to be free,” Wood said . “And I went through a few years understanding the word poverty. But I was free. And freedom means a great deal to me.”

Wood became romantically involved with cubist painter Marcel Duchamp, founding and editing Dadist magazines with Duchamp and writer Henri-Pierre Roché. Wood partially inspired Roché to write the novel Jules et Jim (1953), about a love triangle between three Bohemians, which was adapted into the French New Wave film Jules and Jim (1962) by François Truffaut.

“Charming, Creative, and Devastatingly Funny”

Wood eventually settled in Ojai, California, near where Cameron lived while making Titanic. He spent a few weeks with her to learn more about her life and personality, which influenced the development of Rose’s character.

“When I met her she was charming, creative, and devastatingly funny. And her memory of her teenage years was extremely lucid,” Cameron wrote in the Illustrated Screenplay .

The artist’s studio in which Titanic viewers first see the elderly version, working over a pottery wheel, was directly inspired by Wood’s real-life home. Additionally, when Jack paints a nude portrait of Rose during one of Titanic ’s most famous scenes, Rose mentions the famous French painter Claude Monet , whom Wood had met and even watched paint in real life.

When Titanic was released in 1997, Cameron invited the 104-year-old Wood to the premiere, but she was unable to attend for health reasons. Instead, Cameron and Stuart personally visited her and gave her a video copy of the film.

Wood watched the movie, however, saying , “It was too late in life to be sad.” She died on March 12, 1998, at age 105.

Oh, and in case you’re wondering, DiCaprio’s Jack Dawson wasn’t based on any real individual. A real-life Titanic crew member named Joseph Dawson signed his name “J. Dawson,” but the director said he didn’t even know about that man while making the film. However, that hasn’t stopped his tombstone—which reads “J. Dawson”—from becoming a popular tourist destination among Titanic fans.

Colin McEvoy joined the Biography.com staff in 2023, and before that had spent 16 years as a journalist, writer, and communications professional. He is the author of two true crime books: Love Me or Else and Fatal Jealousy . He is also an avid film buff, reader, and lover of great stories.

Movies Based on True Stories

Meet the Real Gary Johnson Who Inspired ‘Hit Man’

Donald Trump Had an Influential Mentor in Roy Cohn

Inside Amy Winehouse’s Downward Spiral and Death

The Real-Life Hannibal Lecter

‘The Iron Claw:’ The Von Erich Family’s True Story

‘The Iron Claw’ Leaves Out a Von Erich Brother

Where Is Kevin Von Erich Today?

The True Story of Pop-Tarts and ‘Unfrosted’

Prince Andrew’s ‘Scoop’ Interview, Explained

Napoleon and Josephine Had a Stormy Relationship

The True Story of Bob Marley’s One Love Concert